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30/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 31/07/2024 01:25

Orlistat Dosages for Weight Loss: Your GoodRx Guide to Xenical and Alli

Key takeaways:

  • Orlistat is a medication that's available over the counter (OTC) as Alli and with a prescription as Xenical. It works by lowering the amount of fat your body absorbs from the food you eat. This can help people lose weight.

  • Alli is approved for weight loss in adults. It comes in a lower-dose, 60 mg capsule that's also taken 3 times daily with each fat-containing main meal.

  • Xenical is approved for obesity management in people ages 12 and older. It can also help prevent you from gaining back weight that you've lost. Xenical comes in a 120 mg capsule that's taken 3 times daily with each main meal that contains fat.

  • Orlistat can interfere with how your body absorbs other oral medications, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid) and cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral). Your healthcare team may give you instructions for how to safely separate certain medications from your orlistat dose.

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There are many medications available that can help people lose weight - from weight-loss pills to injections. Orlistat, available over the counter (Alli) and with a prescription (Xenical), is one such option. Alli and Xenical are taken the same way, but their dosage is a key difference between them.

So, what's a typical orlistat dosage for weight loss? And are there any special instructions for how to take it? We answer these questions and more below.

Orlistat options

As mentioned above, orlistat is sold over the counter (OTC) as Alli and with a prescription as Xenical. The right option for you may depend on your treatment goals, cost, and preferences. Here are the main differences and similarities between them.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

  • Alli side effects: Alli (orlistat) is an over-the-counter weight-loss pill. Here's what you should know about Alli's side effects, such as loose stools, and how to manage them.

  • How much Xenical costs: Xenical (orlistat) is a higher-dose prescription version of Alli for weight loss. Learn more about how much Xenical costs with and without insurance.

  • Weight-loss pills: There are several weight-loss pills available, but which ones really work? We break down what you should know about orlistat, Contrave, Qsymia, and more.

Alli

Xenical

Active ingredient

Orlistat

Orlistat

OTC vs. prescription

Available OTC

Available by prescription

FDA-approved uses

FDA approved for weight loss in adults

FDA approved for obesity management and to prevent weight regain from prior weight loss in people ages 12 and older

Dosage form available

60 mg capsule

120 mg capsule

Instructions for use

Taken 3 times daily

Taken 3 times daily

No matter which product you take, you should take orlistat with each of your main meals that contain fat. You can take your dose at mealtime or within one hour after the meal. Orlistat is taken this way because it lowers the amount of fat your body absorbs from food, resulting in weight loss. So if your meal doesn't contain fat, you can skip your orlistat dose.

Good to know: Orlistat can reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K. Because of this, it's recommended to take a multivitamin at bedtime (at least 2 hours apart from orlistat) to help lower the risk of vitamin deficiencies while taking orlistat.

What's the typical orlistat dosage for adults?

Both Alli and Xenical are FDA approved for use in certain adults with a high body mass index (BMI). The typical OTC orlistat dosage for adults is 60 mg by mouth 3 times daily with fat-containing main meals. The typical prescription orlistat dosage for adults is 120 mg by mouth 3 times daily with fat-containing main meals.

For best results, you should combine orlistat with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet.

What's the typical orlistat dosage for children?

Alli has not been approved for children. But adolescents ages 12 and older with a high BMI may be eligible to take Xenical. The typical prescription orlistat dosage for this age group is the same as adults - 120 mg by mouth 3 times daily with fat-containing main meals.

Are there any dosage adjustments for drug interactions?

Orlistat may affect how your body absorbs certain medications or how they work in the body. In some cases, you may be instructed to separate when you take these medications from when you take orlistat. Below are a few medications that may be impacted by orlistat and how the manufacturer recommends managing the interaction.

Medication

Recommended steps

Cyclosporine
(Sandimmune, Neoral)

Take cyclosporine at least 3 hours before or after orlistat

Levothyroxine
(Synthroid)

Take levothyroxine and orlistat at least 4 hours apart

Multivitamins

Take multivitamins and orlistat at least 2 hours apart; taking your multivitamin at bedtime can be a good option

Warfarin
(Coumadin, Jantoven)

Monitor blood tests and make adjustments as needed

This is not a full list of orlistat interactions. Make sure your healthcare team has your current medication list for review prior to starting orlistat. They can help you manage potential interactions.

What happens if you miss a dose of orlistat?

If you forget to take orlistat (Alli or Xenical) at mealtime and more than an hour has passed since your meal, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal dosage schedule. Don't double up on orlistat for missed doses.

What should you do if you take too much orlistat?

Taking more orlistat than recommended hasn't shown any additional weight-loss benefits. But it can increase your risk of side effects such as loose, oily stools, gas and bloating, and stomach pain.

If you take too much orlistat, contact your prescriber to assess if the dosage warrants a follow-up. You can also contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. If you have any symptoms that are severe or concerning to you, go to the nearest ER.

How to save on orlistat

Orlistat is available as Alli and Xenical - two brand-name medications. But Xenical is also available as an authorized generic. Authorized generics are brand-name medications without the brand name on the label.

Weight-loss medications, including Xenical, aren't always covered by insurance. In this case, GoodRx can help you save money on prescription and OTC orlistat.

With GoodRx discounts, you could save over 50% off the average retail price of the authorized generic version Xenical. The price is as low as $282.20at certain pharmacies. The price of Alli is as low as $52.99with GoodRx. To use a GoodRx discount with Alli, you'll need a prescription from a healthcare professional.

The bottom line

Orlistat is an oral weight-loss pill that's sold over the counter (OTC) as Alli and with a prescription as Xenical. Alli is only approved for adults, while Xenical is approved for people ages 12 and older.

The OTC orlistat dose is 60 mg, and the prescription orlistat dose is 120 mg. With both products, this dose is taken 3 times daily with main meals that contain fat. If you eat a main meal that doesn't contain fat, you can skip your orlistat dose.

Talk to your healthcare team if you have any questions about your orlistat dosage and how to time your doses around other medications you take.

References

H-2 Pharma LLC. (2024). Xenical - orlistat capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.

Haleon US Holdings LLC. (2024). Alli - orlistat capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.

View All References (1)
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MedlinePlus. (2016). Orlistat.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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