Orlistat (By mouth)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to orlistat, or if you are pregnant.

Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.
Take this medicine during each main meal or up to 1 hour after a meal.
This medicine works by keeping your body from absorbing some of the fat in your meal. If you skip a meal or eat a meal that does not contain any fat, do not take the medicine. It will not do anything.
Eat a well-balanced, reduced-calorie meal plan. Divide the amount of protein, fats, and carbohydrates evenly among your 3 daily meals.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Missed dose: You may take this medicine up to 1 hour after the meal. If more than 1 hour has passed, skip your dose and just take your next dose with your next meal. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Some foods and medicines can affect how orlistat works. Tell your doctor if you use any of the following:
- Amiodarone
- Blood thinner (including warfarin)
- Medicine to treat diabetes (including insulin)
- Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (including atazanavir, emtricitabine, emtricitabine/efavirenz/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lopinavir/ritonavir, ritonavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)
- Medicine to treat seizures
Cyclosporine: Take at least 3 hours after you take orlistat.
Levothyroxine: Take at least 4 hours before or after you take orlistat.
Multivitamin supplement: Take at least 2 hours before or after you take orlistat, such as at bedtime.

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, digestion problems, diabetes, gallbladder problems, heart rhythm problems, seizures, thyroid problems, or an eating disorder (such as anorexia or bulimia).
This medicine may cause the following problems:
- Liver damage
- Higher risk of kidney stones
- Gallbladder or bile flow problems, gallstones
Bowel side effects can be worse if you eat a meal that is more than 30% fat. The undigested fat comes out in your bowel movements. To reduce side effects, divide your daily intake of fat evenly over your 3 main meals each day.
Take a multivitamin supplement that contains vitamins A, D, E, and K with beta carotene. Orlistat keeps your body from absorbing some of the vitamins from food.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, sharp back pain just below the ribs, or painful urination
Severe diarrhea
Severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting

Increases in bowel movements, loss of bowel control, or the need to have a bowel movement right away
Passing gas with oily discharge
Passing oil or fat with your bowel movements or between bowel movements

Last Updated: 1/27/2017