What is orlistat?
Orlistat blocks some of the fat that you eat, keeping it from being absorbed by your body.
Orlistat is used together with a reduced-calorie diet and weight maintenance to treat obesity in people with certain risk factors (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol or triglycerides).
Orlistat may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
It is dangerous to purchase orlistat on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of "alli" purchased on the Internet have been found to contain sibutramine (Meridia), a prescription weight loss medication that can have dangerous side effects in certain people. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.
What is the most important information I should know about orlistat?
Do not take orlistat if you are pregnant. Weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy, even if you are overweight or obese.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to orlistat, if you are pregnant, or if you have gallbladder problems or chronic malabsorption syndrome (an inability to absorb food and nutrients properly).
Before taking orlistat, tell your doctor if you have an underactive thyroid, a history of gallstones or pancreatitis, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, an eating disorder, liver or kidney disease, or if you take other weight-loss medications (prescription or over-the-counter).
Do not give over-the-counter orlistat (alli) to a child younger than 18 years old. Prescription orlistat (Xenical) should not be used by anyone age 12 to 18 without the advice of a doctor.
Orlistat should be used only by the person for whom it was prescribed. Never share orlistat with another person, especially someone who has a history of eating disorder. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
Orlistat is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Your daily intake of fat, protein, and carbohydrates should be evenly divided over all of your daily meals. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Avoid a diet that is high in fat. High-fat meals taken in combination with orlistat can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects on your stomach or intestines.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking orlistat?
You should not take orlistat if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
To make sure you can safely take orlistat, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
an underactive thyroid;
a history of gallstones or kidney stones;
a history of pancreatitis;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
type 1 or type 2 diabetes;
an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia); or
if you take any other weight-loss medications (prescription or over-the-counter).
FDA pregnancy category X. Do not use orlistat if you are pregnant. Weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy, even if you are overweight or obese. Stop taking orlistat and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Taking orlistat can make it harder for your body to absorb certain vitamins. These vitamins are important if you are nursing a baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give over-the-counter orlistat (alli) to a child younger than 18 years old. Prescription orlistat (Xenical) should not be used by anyone age 12 to 18 without the advice of a doctor.
Orlistat should be used only by the person for whom it was prescribed. Never share orlistat with another person, especially someone who has a history of eating disorder. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.