Alli (Orlistat)

What are Alli Tablets?

Alli capsules are a reliable solution that can help you safely lose weight when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It contains half of the active ingredient found in Orlistat and Xenical, but it works in the same way to reduce the body’s absorption of dietary fats.

Manufactured by Haleon UK Trading Limited, Alli weight loss pills work directly in the gut. This is different to other treatments that impact things like hunger sensations, cravings, or mood. As a result, Alli is a popular choice for individuals who prefer non-stimulant medications.

Because Alli affects fat absorption, it helps promote healthier eating habits and more sustainable weight loss. The treatment encourages you to be more aware of the fat content in your meals, leading to better food choices. Alli’s active ingredient, orlistat, is also available in 120 mg tablets known as Orlistat and Xenical, both of which are available on prescription.

Alli weight loss pills help your body absorb about 25% less fat from meals. Anything that is not absorbed is instead passed through your bowels as waste. It is important that you only take Alli if you need to lose weight and diet and exercise alone have not been successful.

How Does Alli Work?

Alli weight loss pills work by binding to a pancreatic enzyme called lipase, which is responsible for digesting dietary fats into glycerol and fatty acids that can either be burned for energy or stored. When lipase activity is blocked, up to 25% of the fat you eat is prevented from being absorbed into the body.

The absorption-blocking properties of Alli’s active ingredient, orlistat, are important for weight loss because the body can struggle to metabolise excessive dietary fat and instead stores it, which can lead to obesity. By reducing the amount of dietary fat stored after each meal, Alli tablets enable the body to burn more of what’s already there.

It’s worth pointing out, however, that Alli capsules do not block the absorption of calories from protein or carbohydrates. Therefore, if you simply replace the calories you consume from fats with calories from these other food groups, you’re unlikely to see much in the way of weight loss. That’s why it’s essential to follow a nutritionally balanced, reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet, spreading your daily intake of fat, carbohydrates and protein across three main meals to achieve the best results from Alli.

How Long Does Alli Last in the Body?

Alli starts increasing the amount of fat passed in stools within 24 to 48 hours of taking a tablet. After treatment is stopped, this usually returns to pre-treatment levels within 48 to 72 hours.

How Long Does Alli Take to Work?

Although Alli weight loss pills start working almost immediately when taken with every fat-containing meal, it can take up to three months to notice the medication’s benefits. Alli is meant to encourage safe and gradual weight loss, rather than deliver immediate and drastic results.

Alli Weight Loss Results: How Effective is Alli?

Several clinical studies have found that Alli is an effective weight loss pill. In one trial, the average weight loss after 6 months with Alli 60 mg tablets was over 5.5% or 5.2kg. In addition, almost 55% of people lost at least 5% of their initial body weight within 6 months, compared with 31% on placebo.

The same study also found that 21% of people reported a loss of at least 10% within 6 months, compared with 10% on placebo, further demonstrating Alli’s weight loss capabilities.

Meanwhile, other research showed that after 52 weeks, people taking Alli pills lost 2.5 kg more weight than those given a placebo. For context, those given 120 mg of orlistat, the same amount found in Xenical, lost an average of 3.3 kg.

In addition to the aforementioned weight loss benefits, Alli may also help lower blood sugar, blood lipid, and blood pressure levels, potentially reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The XENDOS study followed adults with obesity over 4 years while they took 120 mg of orlistat; it found that the cumulative incidence of the condition was 9.0% in patients receiving placebo and 6.2% in those receiving orlistat. This equates to a 37.3% risk reduction.

Who Can Take Alli Pills?

Although a prescription is not required for Alli weight loss pills, you must still meet specific eligibility criteria to ensure they are safe and suitable for you. If you take Alli when you do not need to, it can cause serious adverse effects. A pharmacist or a clinician will ask you some medical-related questions to determine if Alli is right for you.

To be deemed suitable for Alli, you will need to:

• Be aged 18 and over
• Have a BMI of 28 or above

It’s also important that you let your doctor or clinician know of any other medications that you’re taking, including over-the-counter treatments and herbal remedies. The same is also true if you have kidney stones or gallbladder issues, as this could impact whether Alli is right for you.

How to Take Alli Weight Loss Tablets

Alli is an oral capsule that should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. You should never chew or break the pill. Take an Alli capsule just before, during, or up to one hour after a meal that contains dietary fat. This is typically done three times a day: at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Because orlistat (Alli’s active ingredient) only works by blocking the absorption of dietary fat, you should not take a pill if you miss a meal or your meal contains no fat whatsoever. Instead, it’s recommended that you consume around 15 grams of fat in each meal. Remember to take Alli weight loss tablets alongside a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise.

It’s also recommended that you take a multivitamin each day when using Alli pills, particularly one that contains vitamins A, D, E, and K. This is because orlistat can reduce the absorption of these fat-soluble vitamins. It’s a good idea to take this multivitamin just before bed for maximum effect.

How Long Should I Take Alli For?

You should not take Alli pills for longer than 6 months in total. However, you will need to continue taking the tablets for 1-3 months before experiencing the full effects of the treatment. If you have not lost any weight within the first 12 weeks of treatment, speak to your clinician. They will advise you whether to continue the treatment.

This slow pace of weight loss and the emphasis on making healthier dietary and lifestyle choices are crucial to building positive habits that will help you continue losing weight after your treatment ends.

Alli Dosage Information

The recommended single dose of Alli is one 60 mg capsule, which can be taken up to 3 times per day with a meal containing dietary fat. You should not exceed the maximum daily amount, which equates to 180 mg of orlistat. If a meal doesn’t contain any dietary fat, there’s no need to take an Alli pill.

As with all medications, however, it’s essential to adhere to the dosage recommended by your doctor or clinician.

What if I Miss a Dose of Alli?

If you miss a dose of Alli and it has been:

• Less than 1 hour since your last main meal, take the missed capsule.
• More than 1 hour since your last main meal, do not take the missed capsule. Wait and take the next capsule around the same time as your next main meal.

If you regularly forget to take Alli capsules, you may want to set an alarm as a reminder. If it has been a while since your last dose, it’s important to consult with a clinician for further advice.

What If You Take Too Many Alli Capsules

Do not take more than 3 Alli capsules in one day. If you do take more than you should, contact a clinician or doctor as soon as possible.

Alli Side Effects and Cautions

Before starting Alli, it's worth knowing what side effects to expect and who should take extra care with this medication. Below, we cover the possible side effects of Alli, along with the cautions and interactions to be aware of before you begin treatment.

Side Effects of Alli 60mg

Alli is generally well-tolerated, but it can cause side effects just like all other medications. Most will be mild and generally clear up after a short time, if you experience anything at all.

Here are some potential Alli side effects to be mindful of:

Tell your clinician or doctor if any of these side effects get severe or troublesome. It’s important to note that the above is not an exhaustive list of possible Alli side effects. More information can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet enclosed with the medication.

How to Manage Alli Side Effects

Most mild Alli side effects will subside within the first few weeks of treatment. They can usually be managed at home by:

• Reducing your dietary fat intake can limit effects such as sudden bowel movements, oily spotting, and loose stools
• Staying hydrated to manage bowel movements and avoid dehydration
• Engaging in regular exercise may be helpful for anxiety and to maximise the benefits of Alli
• Increasing your fibre intake may help with side effects such as gas and oily stools

Serious Alli Side Effects

Stop taking Alli capsules and seek medical assistance immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

• Severe allergic reactions: signs include severe breathing difficulties, sweating, a rash, itching, a swollen face, a rapid heartbeat, or collapse
• Bleeding from the back passage
• Diverticulitis: inflammation of the large intestine, which may cause lower stomach pain (particularly on the left side), sometimes with fever and constipation
• Pancreatitis: inflammation of the pancreas, which may cause severe stomach pain that can spread towards the back, sometimes with fever, nausea and vomiting
• Skin blistering, including blisters that burst
• Severe stomach pain caused by gallstones
• Hepatitis: inflammation of the liver, which can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes, itching, dark urine, stomach pain and tenderness under the right side of the ribs, sometimes with a loss of appetite
• Oxalate nephropathy: a build-up of calcium oxalate that may lead to kidney stones

Effects Seen in Blood Tests

It's not known how often these effects occur, but if you have a blood test while taking Alli, let your doctor know beforehand as it may affect the results:

• A rise in the levels of some liver enzymes
• Changes to blood clotting in people taking warfarin or other blood-thinning medicines

Alli Warnings and Interactions

Alli is not suitable for everyone, and it is important to let your clinician know about any underlying health conditions, medications you are taking, and any other relevant health information before ordering Alli weight loss capsules.

Do not take Alli if you:

• Are allergic to orlistat or any other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Are taking ciclosporin
• Are taking warfarin
• Have a liver disorder called cholestasis
• Have problems absorbing food

You should also let the clinician know if you have diabetes or kidney disease before taking Alli tablets.

Precautions Before Taking Alli

In addition to the warnings and interactions above, there are a few other things to keep in mind before you start taking Alli.

• Alli must not be taken by children or adolescents under 18
• If you take the contraceptive pill, severe diarrhoea can make it less effective. Use an extra method of contraception if this happens
• Take a daily multivitamin containing vitamins A, D, E and K, as Alli can reduce the absorption of some vitamins. Take it at bedtime, away from your Alli doses, to help it absorb properly
• Alli is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machinery
• Each capsule contains less than 1mmol of sodium, so it's considered sodium-free
• Eating a high-fat meal alongside Alli can increase the chance of digestive side effects, so try to stick to lower-fat meals throughout treatment

How Does Alli Interact with Other Medications?

Just like all medications, it’s possible that Alli weight loss tablets can interact with other treatments and affect the way they work. This is why it’s important to inform your doctor or clinician about any medicines you’re currently taking, including herbal remedies.

Possible interactions can occur between Alli and the following medications:

• Acarbose
• Amiodarone
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Ciclosporin
• Levothyroxine
• Medicine for HIV
• Medicines for anxiety
• Medicines for epilepsy
• Warfarin or other anticoagulants

If you are ever unsure about whether Alli tablets are right for you, it’s essential to speak to your doctor or clinician beforehand.

Where to Buy Alli Weight Loss Tablets

You can buy Alli weight loss tablets from most pharmacies or online without a prescription. This will be at the discretion of a licensed pharmacist or clinician, who will need to determine whether the treatment is suitable for you before providing it.

Can I Buy Alli Online?

Yes, you can buy Alli online from reputable services such as Prescription Doctor. Our process works as follows:

• Complete an online weight loss consultation for our licensed clinicians to review.
• Our team will determine whether Alli pills are right for you
• Approved orders are dispatched in discreet packaging. Those authorised before 3pm on a weekday are eligible for next-day delivery
• If the treatment is not approved for you, we will provide a full refund or recommend an alternative

If you decide to buy Alli online, it’s essential to conduct thorough research and work with a reputable provider. For example, check if they are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Do I Need a Prescription for Alli Weight Loss Pills?

No, Alli is classified as a non-prescription or over-the-counter medication, meaning you won’t need to obtain a prescription from a GP. You will still need to answer a few questions relating to your medical history so that a pharmacist or clinician can determine whether the treatment is suitable for you.

Is Alli Available on the NHS?

No, Alli is not available on the NHS, but your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative, such as Orlistat or Xenical instead. It’s essential to note that weight loss treatments provided by the NHS are often subject to stricter eligibility requirements and have long waiting times.

Are There Alternatives to Alli Tablets?

Yes, there are several weight loss treatments available, both in tablet form and as subcutaneous injections. The main alternatives to Alli are:

• Xenical and Orlistat: Capsules that contain the same active ingredient as Alli, but at a 120 mg dosage. They support weight loss by blocking up to 30% of dietary fat from being absorbed.
• Mounjaro: A weight loss injection that is administered once per week. Containing the active ingredient tirzepatide, it can reduce body weight by around 20.9%.
• Wegovy: Like Mounjaro, it is an injection administered weekly. It contains semaglutide as its active ingredient and helps you feel fuller for longer while also suppressing your appetite.
• Nevolat: A daily weight loss injection, Nevolat is the generic form of Saxenda. It has liraglutide as its active ingredient.
• Mysimba: The active ingredients in Mysimba tablets (bupropion and naltrexone) work together to curb hunger pangs.
• Wegovy Pills: Taken daily as an oral tablet, Wegovy pills contain semaglutide and support weight loss in the same way as injectable Wegovy.

Prescription Doctor is pleased to offer all of the above weight loss treatments as part of our consultation service. Complete our straightforward health questionnaire, and our experienced clinicians will help you determine the best option for your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alli 60mg