What does it do?
Orlistat is used to help you lose weight by reducing the absorption of fat from food.
How should you take it?
Take orlistat with a glass of water with each main meal.
What if you forget a dose?
Should an occasional dose be missed it need not be taken later.
Can you take other medicines?
Some medicines available without a prescription may react with orlistat including:
- products containing vitamins A, D, E or K, or betacarotene - do not take within 2 hours of orlistat
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.
What side effects might you notice?
| Side Effects | Recommended action |
|---|---|
|
Abdominal pain Farting Diarrhoea, oily bowel motions |
Tell your doctor if troublesome |
If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other information:
- Tell your doctor if you have gallbladder, bowel, stomach, thyroid or liver problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, are taking other weight loss medicines, or if you have ever had kidney stones.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.
Prepared by the PILs Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand. December 2017
For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
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About My Medicines
My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.
For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
My Medicines is developed by a team at the Canterbury District Health Board. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed