What Is Orlistat? UK Guide - Cheapest Price £12.00

Clinically Proven UK Registered Pharmacy

What Is Orlistat - Cheapest UK Price £12.00

Get orlistat at the cheapest UK price from £12.00 with £20 off using code Weightlossnew.

UK-registered clinical team
Confidential and secure
No GP visit needed
Fast and discreet delivery
Start Your Free Consultation

Takes less than 2 minutes to complete 100% online

Weightlossnew £20 off for new customers
Genuine Products
UK-licensed only
Fast Delivery
Next-day available
Expert Advice
UK pharmacists
Woman using Cured Pharmacy online consultation for weight loss treatment
£32.00 From £12.00 £20 discount using discount code Weightlossnew
LIVE PRICING

Our Pricing

Pricing Disclaimer: Prices on some pages may not be up to date — the live pricing table below and pricing shown during consultation are official current prices and take precedence over any other figures on the site.

Mounjaro Weight Loss Injections (Tirzepatide) KwikPen - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Mounjaro Weight Loss Injections (Tirzepatide) KwikPen

From £145.00

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Wegovy (Semaglutide) Weight Loss Injection - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Wegovy (Semaglutide) Weight Loss Injection

From £89.00

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Wegovy® Oral Tablets (Semaglutide Pill) - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Wegovy® Oral Tablets (Semaglutide Pill)

From £83.00

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Saxenda - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Saxenda

From £68.00

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Orlistat - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Orlistat

From £32.00

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
w
Treatment

weight loss test

From £5.00

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment

What Is Orlistat? Understanding the Fat-Blocking Weight Loss Medication

What is orlistat? Orlistat is a prescription and over-the-counter weight loss medication that works by blocking the absorption of dietary fat in your digestive system. Licensed by the MHRA and recommended by NICE for adults with obesity or overweight with comorbidities, orlistat helps you lose weight when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise programme.

What Is Orlistat and How Does It Work?

What is orlistat at a molecular level? Orlistat (tetrahydrolipstatin) is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor that prevents approximately 25-30% of dietary fat from being absorbed by your body [1]. Unlike appetite suppressants or GLP-1 receptor agonists, orlistat works locally in your digestive tract rather than systemically, binding to gastric and pancreatic lipases to block the breakdown of triglycerides into absorbable free fatty acids.

When you take orlistat with meals containing fat, the undigested fat passes through your system and is eliminated in bowel movements. This mechanism creates a calorie deficit that supports weight loss when combined with a balanced, reduced-fat diet (typically under 30% of calories from fat). Clinical trials demonstrate that orlistat users lose on average 5-10% of their baseline body weight over 12 months when adhering to dietary guidance [2].

What Is Orlistat Available As in the UK?

What is orlistat sold as in UK pharmacies? Orlistat is available in two strengths: 120mg (prescription-only) and 60mg (available over the counter without prescription). The 120mg dose is marketed under brand names including Xenical and generic orlistat, whilst the 60mg formulation is sold as Alli. Both strengths contain the same active ingredient but differ in potency and regulatory classification.

At Cured Pharmacy, orlistat 120mg is available from £12.00 following a free online consultation with our UK-registered prescribers. Our superintendent pharmacist Tarun Kumar (GPhC 2233073) ensures all orlistat supplies meet MHRA licensing standards and are dispensed only after appropriate clinical assessment. You can Save £20 off your first order with code Weightlossnew.

Prescription vs Over-the-Counter Orlistat

The 120mg prescription strength is typically recommended for individuals with a BMI of 30 or above, or 28 or above with weight-related comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension. The 60mg over-the-counter version is suitable for adults aged 18 and over with a BMI of 28 or above. Both formulations require commitment to dietary modification for optimal results, and our clinical team provides tailored guidance during your consultation.

What Is Orlistat's Dosing Schedule and Usage?

What is orlistat's recommended dosing protocol? The standard dose of orlistat 120mg is one capsule taken three times daily with each main meal containing fat, or up to one hour after eating. If you skip a meal or eat a meal with no fat content, you should omit that dose. Treatment duration is typically reviewed at 12 weeks, with continuation dependent on achieving at least 5% weight loss from baseline [3].

For optimal effectiveness, distribute your daily fat intake evenly across three meals, keeping each meal to approximately 15 grams of fat or less. Exceeding this amount whilst taking orlistat increases the likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects. Our prescribers provide specific dietary advice tailored to your lifestyle and weight loss goals during your online consultation.

Treatment Type Frequency Starting Price
Orlistat 120mg Lipase inhibitor (oral) Three times daily with meals from £32.00
Xenical (Orlistat 120mg) Lipase inhibitor (oral) Three times daily with meals from £49.99
Alli (Orlistat 60mg) Lipase inhibitor (oral) Three times daily with meals from £49.99
Wegovy (Semaglutide) GLP-1 receptor agonist (injection) Once weekly from £89.00
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist (injection) Once weekly from £145.00
Saxenda (Liraglutide) GLP-1 receptor agonist (injection) Once daily from £68.00

What Is Orlistat's Side Effect Profile?

What is orlistat's most common side effect? Gastrointestinal effects are the primary side effects associated with orlistat, occurring in up to 20-30% of users. These include oily spotting from the rectum, flatulence with discharge, urgent bowel movements, fatty or oily stools, and increased defecation frequency [4]. These effects are directly related to the medication's mechanism of blocking fat absorption and typically diminish when dietary fat intake is properly controlled.

Most gastrointestinal side effects occur within the first few weeks of treatment and reduce significantly as users adapt their diet to lower fat content. Severe side effects are rare but can include liver injury (hepatotoxicity), though this occurs in fewer than 1 in 10,000 users. Orlistat may also reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), so a daily multivitamin supplement taken at bedtime (at least 2 hours after orlistat) is recommended during treatment.

Managing Gastrointestinal Effects

The key to minimising side effects is strict adherence to a low-fat diet. Keeping fat intake below 15 grams per meal significantly reduces the occurrence of oily stools and urgency. If you experience persistent or severe gastrointestinal symptoms, our clinical team can review your dietary intake and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. These effects serve as a behavioural deterrent to consuming high-fat foods, reinforcing healthier eating patterns.

What Is Orlistat Compared to Other Weight Loss Treatments?

What is orlistat's position among UK weight loss medications? Orlistat represents the most affordable prescription weight loss option in the UK, with a fundamentally different mechanism compared to newer GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Whilst GLP-1 medications work systemically to reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying, orlistat works locally in the gut to block fat absorption.

Clinical trial data shows that GLP-1 receptor agonists typically produce greater average weight loss (10-20% of body weight) compared to orlistat (5-10%), but orlistat offers advantages including lower cost, no injection requirement, and a well-established 25-year safety profile [5]. Orlistat is particularly suitable for individuals who prefer oral medication, have contraindications to GLP-1 therapies, or are seeking a budget-friendly option with proven efficacy when combined with lifestyle modification.

What Is Orlistat's Suitability and Contraindications?

What is orlistat appropriate for in terms of patient selection? Orlistat is licensed for adults aged 18 and over with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥28) with associated risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidaemia. It is not suitable for individuals with chronic malabsorption syndrome, cholestasis (bile flow obstruction), or known hypersensitivity to orlistat or any excipients.

Orlistat should be used with caution in patients taking anticoagulants like warfarin, as reduced vitamin K absorption may affect clotting. It may also reduce absorption of certain medications including levothyroxine, antiepileptic drugs, and ciclosporin, requiring dose separation. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use orlistat. Our UK-registered prescribers conduct a thorough medical assessment during your online consultation to ensure orlistat is safe and appropriate for your individual circumstances, with treatment subject to prescriber approval.

Who Benefits Most from Orlistat?

Orlistat is most effective for individuals who are committed to making sustainable dietary changes and prefer a medication that reinforces low-fat eating habits. It suits those seeking an oral medication without systemic effects, individuals on a budget, or those stepping down from higher-cost weight loss treatments. Success with orlistat requires active participation in behaviour modification, making it ideal for motivated patients ready to adopt long-term healthy eating patterns under clinical supervision.

Scientific References

  1. Guerciolini, R. (1997). Mode of action of orlistat. International Journal of Obesity, 21(Suppl 3), S12-S23.
  2. Sjöström, L., Rissanen, A., Andersen, T., et al. (1998). Randomised placebo-controlled trial of orlistat for weight loss and prevention of weight regain in obese patients. The Lancet, 352(9123), 167-172.
  3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2014). Obesity: identification, assessment and management (CG189). NICE.
  4. Davidson, M. H., Hauptman, J., DiGirolamo, M., et al. (1999). Weight control and risk factor reduction in obese subjects treated for 2 years with orlistat. JAMA, 281(3), 235-242.
  5. Yanovski, S. Z., & Yanovski, J. A. (2014). Long-term drug treatment for obesity: a systematic and clinical review. JAMA, 311(1), 74-86.

Information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. All prescription treatments require clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication.

How it Works?

Select from our recommended UK-licensed medications.

1

Choose your treatment

Step 1: Choose your treatment from Cured Pharmacy

Select safe UK treatments. Quick answers.

2

Answer quick questions

Step 2: Answer quick consultation questions

We will deliver direct to you as quickly as tomorrow.

3

Get it delivered fast

Step 3: Fast discreet delivery to your door

Start Your Assessment For Weight Loss

Start your journey to better health today.

  • Reviewed by UK-based prescribers
  • Takes under 3 minutes
  • Discreet Packaging

Start Your Journey To Better Health Today

Once you complete a short online assessment you will be able to choose your preferred treatment from safe medically approved options tailored to you.

Start My Assessment

Returning Customer?

Log in to Your Account

Faq

What is orlistat used for?
Orlistat is used for weight loss in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥28) with weight-related health conditions, working by blocking approximately 25-30% of dietary fat absorption when combined with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet.
How quickly does orlistat work for weight loss?
Most patients begin to see weight loss within 2-4 weeks of starting orlistat when combined with dietary changes. Clinical trials show optimal results occur over 12 weeks, with treatment continued if at least 5% body weight loss is achieved.
What is orlistat's main side effect?
The main side effects of orlistat are gastrointestinal, including oily stools, flatulence, and increased bowel movements, which occur when dietary fat intake exceeds recommended levels and typically reduce with proper adherence to a low-fat diet.
Can I buy orlistat without a prescription in the UK?
Orlistat 60mg (Alli) is available over the counter without prescription, whilst orlistat 120mg requires a prescription from a UK-registered healthcare professional following clinical assessment to ensure suitability.
What is orlistat's recommended fat intake per meal?
When taking orlistat, keep each meal to approximately 15 grams of fat or less, with total daily fat intake around 30% of calories or lower, to maximise weight loss and minimise gastrointestinal side effects.
Does orlistat interact with other medications?
Orlistat may reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and certain medications including warfarin, levothyroxine, and antiepileptic drugs. Our prescribers review all your medications during consultation to identify potential interactions and advise on dose separation where needed.
How long can I take orlistat for weight loss?
Orlistat treatment is typically reviewed at 12 weeks and may be continued long-term if effective (≥5% weight loss achieved) and well-tolerated. Some patients use orlistat for 1-2 years under ongoing clinical supervision to maintain weight loss.
What is orlistat's success rate compared to diet alone?
Clinical trials demonstrate that orlistat combined with diet and exercise produces approximately 50% more weight loss than diet and exercise alone, with users losing an average of 5-10% of baseline body weight over 12 months.
Tarun Kumar, Prescribing Pharmacist

Medically reviewed by

Tarun Kumar, Prescribing Pharmacist (GPhC 2233073)

Last reviewed: 30 July 2026