Orlistat is a drug that is used to treat obesity. It works in the digestive system by stopping the digestion of one third of the fat from the meals. It connects with the enzymes in the digestive system and keeps part of the fat from being absorbed in the body. It is commonly used in combination with low-calorie diet. Orlistat is prescribed for patients with BMI over 30, and the treatment is usually stopped once BMI drops below 28. It can also be used by others, since it is available without prescription in many countries, including New Zealand, Australia and European Union.
How to use it
To maximize the usage of Orlistat, you should follow the program of the diet prescribed by your doctor or nutritionist. Usual dosage is one 120 mg capsule for each of the three main meals per day. At least 30% of the calories should come from fat. You can take it before or during the meal, or even one hour after. If a meal doesn’t have any fat, dose of Orlistat should not be taken. A diet should be balanced and rich in fruit and vegetables. If you haven’t lost at least 5% of your body mass after 12 weeks, it is best to stop with the treatment. Children and pregnant women should not use Orlistat, while patients who take other drugs should seek advice from their doctor.
Side effects
Most of the possible side effects are connected with the digestive system. They are usually not severe and are gone after a short period of time and in most cases they completely disappear over longer period of treatment. Headache, abdominal pain, infection of the respiratory system and low blood sugar are some of the most common side effects, while fatigue, rash or nausea are not that common and occur in 1 to 10 out of a 100 users.
How to buy it
Orlistat comes by the names Xenical and Alli. Xenical is most commonly packed in 120 mg hard capsules, which can be bought only on prescription. In the United States and Australia, Orlistat can be bought without prescription from 2007, and European Union approved its over-the-counter sale in the beginning of 2009, all under the name Alli. These capsules contain half the dosage (60 mg) and can even be bought online for a price around $70 for 120 capsules. You can also buy Xenical online in the UK, which costs a little over $100 for 84 capsules, but a doctor will have to review your data before you can purchase the pills.
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