> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hi-doctor.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Xenical (orlistat) guide

> How to time 120 mg orlistat capsules with fat-containing meals, manage bowel effects, protect fat-soluble vitamins, and know when to review treatment.

Orlistat reduces absorption of some dietary fat. It does not suppress
appetite, and it does not work without the agreed nutrition plan alongside
it — the capsule only does its job at meals that actually contain fat.

## How to use

Two rules work together at every meal — when the capsule is taken, and what the
meal contains.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Take 120 mg with a fat-containing main meal" icon="capsules">
    Take one capsule immediately before, during, or up to one hour after
    each main meal that contains fat. If the meal is missed or contains no
    fat, omit that dose.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Distribute dietary fat" icon="utensils">
    Follow the balanced, reduced-calorie eating plan agreed with your
    clinician, and spread fat across the main meals. A high-fat meal makes
    bowel effects more likely — do not take extra capsules to compensate.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Dose schedule

<Info>
  **Dose** 120 mg orlistat — one capsule with each main meal that contains fat,
  and none with a meal that does not.
</Info>

Use no more than one 120 mg capsule per qualifying main meal. If a
multivitamin containing vitamins A, D, E and K is recommended, separate it
from orlistat by at least two hours — often at bedtime.

At a **twelve-week review**, the prescriber checks weight change, side
effects, adherence, nutrition, and interacting medicines. EU product
information advises stopping if the expected response threshold has not
been reached.

## What has been reported

| Effect                                               | Notes                                   |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| Oily spotting, wind with discharge                   | Common, especially after high-fat meals |
| Urgency, fatty stools, more frequent bowel movements | Common, especially after high-fat meals |

These bowel effects often improve when dietary fat is distributed and
reduced.

<Warning>
  Orlistat can reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and affect medicines
  including ciclosporin, warfarin or other anticoagulants, levothyroxine,
  some epilepsy medicines, and some HIV treatments. These require a specific
  plan with your doctor.
</Warning>

## Contact your doctor if

* Severe or persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, yellow skin or eyes, dark
  urine, or a severe allergic reaction
* Rectal bleeding, severe diarrhoea, symptoms of kidney stones, or bowel
  effects that are difficult to manage
* You start an anticoagulant, ciclosporin, levothyroxine, an epilepsy
  medicine, or another medicine with an absorption concern

## Storage

Keep in the original package, away from moisture and direct heat, and out
of children's reach. Follow the temperature limit on your pack and do not
use it after the expiry date.

## What to expect

Progress is reviewed after 12 weeks and at intervals thereafter. Results
vary, and continuation depends on response, tolerance, and clinical
suitability.

## Common questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How long does it take for orlistat to work?">
    Orlistat reduces absorption of some dietary fat from the first dose taken with a fat-containing meal. Progress is reviewed after 12 weeks, and results vary. Continuation depends on response, tolerance and clinical suitability.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I drink alcohol while taking orlistat?">
    Orlistat does not interact directly with alcohol, but alcohol itself adds calories and can affect judgement around food choices. Follow the balanced eating plan agreed with your clinician.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I take orlistat with a low-fat meal?">
    If the meal contains no fat, omit that dose. The capsule only works at meals that actually contain fat. Do not take extra capsules to compensate for a high-fat meal.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to take a multivitamin with orlistat?">
    If a multivitamin containing vitamins A, D, E and K is recommended, separate it from orlistat by at least two hours — often at bedtime. Orlistat can reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I take orlistat with other medicines?">
    Orlistat can affect medicines including ciclosporin, warfarin or other anticoagulants, levothyroxine, some epilepsy medicines and some HIV treatments. These require a specific plan with your doctor. Tell the prescriber about all medicines you take.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## How Hi-Doctor handles it

A licensed EU doctor reviews your case and, if appropriate, issues a
prescription alongside the agreed nutrition plan. Orlistat is one of the
options a doctor may consider — see the full set on the
[orforglipron page](/library/medicines/orforglipron), which lists every
EU-authorised weight-management medicine Hi-Doctor's doctors work from.
See also [how a consultation works](/essentials/how-it-works), the
[treatment areas](/essentials/treatments) Hi-Doctor covers, and how
eligibility is decided in [safety](/essentials/safety).

## Start a consultation

<Card title="Weight-loss consultation" icon="stethoscope" href="https://hi-doctor.ai/consultation/weight-loss/1">
  Answer the weight-loss questionnaire and a registered doctor reviews it.
  They decide whether treatment is appropriate, which one, and at what dose —
  and declining is a normal outcome. See [what it costs](/essentials/pricing)
  and [how the review works](/essentials/how-it-works).
</Card>

<Warning>
  This page is reference information, not medical advice and not a prescription.
  Whether a medicine is appropriate for you is decided by a registered doctor
  after reviewing your consultation.
</Warning>