How Long Does it Take for Orlistat to Work?

Orlistat is an effective weight loss medication when it is coupled with a reduced calorie diet and exercise. Orlistat has been shown not to have significant weight loss effects when taken alone. By reducing fat intake and regularly exercising, you will start to notice weight loss effects. 

Orlistat is generally used for around 3 months for optimal body weight loss. If a weight loss of 5% is not noticed after those 3 months, the treatment time can be prolonged. A 6-month dose-ranging study group clinical trial found that Orlistat reduced the weight of patients taking 120 mg three times a day for 6 months by 39% (with a low calorie diet).

Orlistat starts working right away once taken; it binds to the fat in your food from the very first dose. However, this does not mean you will lose weight straight away. With reduced dietary fat and regular exercise, you will notice a gradual but sustained weight loss with Orlistat. If you cut down your calorie intake by 500 calories per day, you will notice about 1 lb of weight loss per week. This is deemed as a healthy weight loss goal.

Do not be disheartened – weight loss should be slow and maintained, as sudden weight loss is not healthy for the body. 

At Simple Online Pharmacy, we stock a wide range of weight loss treatments, including Saxenda. Rather than a pill, Saxenda is taken as a daily injection. Instead of preventing fat from being digested, Saxenda uses your body’s hormonal systems to make you feel fuller, even when you  eat less food. This, combined with a calorie-controlled diet and exercise, means you can lose weight. You can learn more about Saxenda in our blog post “Saxenda – Unboxing Your First Order“.

We also stock branded variations of Orlistat, including Xenical and Alli. These medications are chemically identical to Orlistat – the only difference may be in dosage and branding. You can read further about the differences between these medication in our blog post “Xenical, Alli and Orlistat – The Differences”.

You cannot purchase Orlistat over the counter without a prescription from a doctor. When you buy Orlistat from Simple Online Pharmacy, we will ask you to complete an online assessment with us which will be reviewed by one of our doctors before we prescribe it to you. If there are no concerns (including heart disease or high blood pressure), they can prescribe Orlistat, and we can post it straight to your doorstep.