In clinical trials, people taking Xenical (orlistat) for weight loss lost at least 5% of their body weight in 12 weeks and 10.2% after 1 year. If you weigh 250 pounds, that’s between 12 and 20 pounds!
Wondering if Xenical is appropriate for your needs? Find a weight loss specialist and find out if a Xenical online prescription is right for you in as little as 24 hours.*
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Xenical (orlistat) is a name-brand weight loss medication with the active ingredient orlistat. In April 1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xenical, made by F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, as a prescription medication for people 18 and older to help manage weight and decrease the risk of regaining weight after previous weight loss when used with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet.
In clinical trials, people who took Xenical lost weight, had improvements in total cholesterol, and had a reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes.
Xenical is available as a prescription medication in a 120-milligram capsule. But if you’re looking for an over-the-counter (OTC) option, investigate Alli (orlistat), which is a 60-milligram OTC medication with the same active ingredient orlistat.
Xenical is part of a group of medications known as lipase inhibitors. Instead of suppressing your appetite, these medications prevent your body from absorbing dietary fat. Dietary fats are big molecules that must be broken down by enzymes, known as lipases, before your body can absorb them.
When you take Xenical with a meal, the medication allows about 30% of the dietary fat you consume to move through your gut without being digested. Your body is unable to store this dietary fat as fatty tissue, which helps you burn up fat your body has already stored.
Xenical can help you decrease your current weight, maintain your weight, and reduce any additional weight gain.
The OTC version of orlistat, Alli, works in the same way, since it contains the same active ingredient. Since Alli isn’t as strong as Xenical, fewer people tend to lose weight on it and they lose the weight over a longer period of time. In clinical trials, more than 40% of participants lost at least 5% of their body weight while on Alli in a year.
The FDA approved Xenical for weight loss for adults over 18 with obesity, which means having an initial body mass index (BMI) of at least 30, and those with a BMI of at least 27 with at least one other risk factor, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. It’s approved for use with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet.
People with organic causes of obesity, such as hypothyroidism, shouldn’t take Xenical. A provider will also consider factors,such as muscle mass and fat distribution, when deciding if Xenical is a good fit for you.
Xenical is also used off-label (for a condition it’s not FDA-approved for) to treat obesity in patients with heart failure.
You can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in pounds by your squared height in inches and multiplying by 703. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds and your height is 5 feet 6 inches, 200 divided by 4,356 (66 squared) multiplied by 703 is 32.27 and your BMI is 32.3 and you qualify to take Xenical for weight loss. You can use an online calculator to calculate your BMI for you.
The FDA approves Alli for adults 18 and older with a BMI of at least 25 who use it while eating a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. For example, if you weigh 165 pounds and your height is 5 feet 6 inches, your BMI is about 26.6 and you qualify to take Alli for weight loss.
You need a prescription to take Xenical. And a trained, licensed healthcare provider can prescribe Xenical online if they determine that you meet the criteria and that it’s medically necessary for you.
Connect with a board-certified, licensed provider on Klarity Health to discuss a weight loss program that may include medication, like Xenical.
Providers with obesity medicine certification or those with internal medicine training, including endocrinologists, can prescribe weight loss prescription drugs. Primary care providers (PCPs and MDs), physician assistants/associates (PAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) can also prescribe medications for weight loss and other needs.
In some states, you’re required to see a provider in person at least once before they can prescribe you medication. You can find the prescribing regulations in your state by visiting the Center for Connected Health Policy website.
Xenical is taken as a 120-milligram capsule 3 times per day. You take 1 capsule with each main meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can take it during your meal or up to 1 hour after.
While taking Xenical for weight loss, you should consume a reduced-calorie, nutritionally balanced, low-fat diet. Your daily intake of fat shouldn’t be more than 30% of your caloric intake. For example, if you consume 1,500 calories each day, no more than 450 of your calories should be from fat.
If you miss a meal or the meal doesn’t contain any fat, you should skip that dose of Xenical. You should also take a multivitamin at least once a day with fat-soluble vitamins (like vitamins A, D, E, and K) at least 2 hours before or after you take Xenical, since it decreases the absorption of beta-carotene and some fat-soluble vitamins.
Alli is taken as a 60-milligram capsule 3 times per day, 1 with each meal containing fat. You should also take Alli with a low-fat, reduced-calorie diet and follow an exercise program.
Xenical’s common side effects are caused by the active ingredient orlistat’s fat-blocking action. They include oily stool, fatty stool, oily spotting, gas and oily discharge, orange- or brown-colored oil in your stool, nausea, stomach pain, rectal pain, an increased number of bowel movements, loose stools, urgency to use the restroom, and an inability to control bowel movements.
Stop taking Xenical and get medical attention immediately if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction to the medication, including difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of your throat, tongue, face, or lips.
You should also stop taking Xenical and contact your provider immediately if you experience any of its serious side effects that include painful or difficult urination, blood in your urine, severe pain in your lower back, severe stomach pain, liver problems, or kidney problems. Liver problems include jaundice or yellowing of the eyes or skin, clay-colored stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, tired feeling, itching, upper stomach pain, and nausea, while kidney problems include feeling short of breath or tired, swelling in your ankles or feet, or little to no urinating.
If you take Xenical and have any side effects, work with your provider and consider reporting negative side effects to the FDA by visiting MedWatch or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
Alli’s side effects are similar to Xenical’s effects and include light-colored stool, yellow skin or eyes, loss of appetite, itching, and brown urine.
The cost for a 30-day supply of 90 Xenical 120-milligram capsules is about $466, per drugs.com and with its discount. That cost doesn’t reflect insurance coverage.
You can use a GoodRx coupon for Xenical and get the same 30-day supply of 90 capsules for about $208 in Los Angeles, which saves you about 55% or $258 on the original cost of the medication. That cost is without insurance and may be even less with insurance. Other prescription discount sites, like SingleCare Rx, Optum Perks, and NeedyMeds, can help you save money with or without insurance too.
The average retail price of Alli is about $78, but you can buy Alli for as low as $53 with a GoodRx coupon.
Xenical, Zepbound (tirzepatide), and Wegovy (semaglutide) are all weight loss medications, but they work differently. While Xenical blocks the absorption of some of the fat you consume, Zepbound is a dual glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) medication. Zepbound mimics the GLP-1 and GIP hormones to slow the emptying of your stomach and reduce your appetite to manage your blood sugar levels. In clinical trials, participants lost up to 21% of their body weight while on Zepbound for 72 weeks.
Wegovy is a GLP-1 agonist medication, which works in a similar way to Zepbound by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone to slow the emptying of your stomach and reduce or even limit your appetite and cravings. In clinical trials, participants lost about 14.9% of their body weight on average while on Wegovy for 68 weeks.
Both Wegovy and Zepbound are FDA-approved for weight management or weight loss when combined with increased physical activity and a reduced-calorie diet. Both medications have side effects that include headaches, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and nausea.
Wegovy and Zepbound can also cause serious side effects, lead to adverse reactions, and have drug interactions. Both medications have an FDA-boxed warning for the possibility of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a type of thyroid cancer, or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
Phentermine and Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate extended-release (ER)) are 2 other oral weight loss medications. Phentermine was first approved by the FDA in 1959 as an appetite suppressant, but its current form has been available on the market since 1973. The weight loss drug is approved for weight loss for a period of up to 3 months, while other medications are approved for longer use. In clinical trials, participants lost at least 3% of their body weight while on phentermine in 12 weeks.
Qsymia is a brand-name oral medication that contains phentermine as well as topiramate ER, a medication used to treat migraines and epilepsy. It’s a capsule taken 1 time per day in the morning. In clinical trials, participants lost up to 10% of their body weight while on Qsymia in 56 weeks.
Side effects of phentermine can include dry mouth, insomnia, constipation, and increased heart rate. Those for Qsymia include dizziness, tingling in the hands or feet, and mood changes. Both can also cause more serious effects, such as cardiovascular issues and potential dependency.
The best way to find out which, if any, weight loss medication is right for you is to talk to a weight loss provider.
Reviews from real patients who received treatment from healthcare providers on Klarity Health.
Providers on Klarity Health are licensed, board-certified, and offer a personalized approach to your unique weight-loss needs. See detailed profiles for each provider and find an approach that’s best for you. (Costs for treatment options may vary.)
Your journey to losing weight starts with an initial consultation Your provider will go over your goals and medical history to recommend a program that’s right for you and may or may not include prescription medication.
Your initial consultation is just the beginning. You and your provider will follow up to make sure you’re doing okay and that you’re reaching your goals. You stay on track with easy medication refills and ongoing support from your provider.
If you have questions or need assistance, the Klarity Health Patient Support team is there to help. Along with your provider, they’re committed to making sure you have the best care and support throughout your weight loss journey.
*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.