You can buy Orlistat (Xenical/Alli) as an over-the-counter alternative to Wegovy in the UK.
However, Orlistat is a very different type of weight-loss medication, and research suggests it’s not as effective as Wegovy in supporting weight loss.
Wegovy and Orlistat are weight-loss medications approved for use in the UK. However, they are different medications with distinct dosing schedules, costs, and mechanisms of action on the body.
Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor. Lipases are gut enzymes that break down fat from food, enabling the gut to transport fat into the body to be burnt for energy or stored in our fat cells for later use.
Orlistat blocks lipases, preventing some of the dietary fat from our meals from being digested. This leads to fewer calories being absorbed, which can support weight loss.
Orlistat is a prescription medication produced by two pharmaceutical companies in the UK:
Wegovy is a weight-loss jab manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It’s a weekly weight-loss injection with semaglutide as the active ingredient.
Semaglutide is a that helps reduce hunger and appetite, allowing you to eat fewer calories, lose weight, and manage your blood sugar levels.
Wegovy is approved in the UK for individuals living with obesity to help them eat fewer calories and lose weight.
The over-the-counter version of Orlistat will cost around £18 a month, so it’s a very affordable medication.
In comparison, buying Wegovy and the injectable pens required for four weeks from Second Nature will cost £229 a month, rising to £299.
Orlistat is an affordable medication that is generally well-tolerated. However, it’s less effective than Wegovy. Wegovy is twice as effective as Orlistat for weight loss after one year.
So, if you’re looking for the most affordable weight-loss pill you can purchase over the counter, then Orlistat could be an option.
However, if you have a higher budget and are looking for the most effective weight-loss injection in the UK, semaglutide is a better choice.
Semaglutide is designed as an additional tool for weight management and, in most cases, shouldn’t be considered a lifelong medication.
Instead, it should be used to help you kickstart your weight loss and healthy journey while you commit to living a healthier lifestyle.
Ideally, we’d be able to lose weight without medication and lifestyle changes would be enough to support weight loss in the long term.
We’d generally recommend trying Second Nature’s before considering a weight-loss jab.
Changing your habits is the most sustainable way to achieve long-term weight loss, and it’s also less expensive.
At Second Nature, we’ve been trusted by the NHS since 2017 to support people with type 2 diabetes and obesity to lose weight, manage their blood sugar levels, and lead healthier lifestyles for the long term.
In 2022, the NHS in the BMJ that compared the weight loss outcomes of five providers in the National Diabetes Prevention Programme.
Second Nature was more than twice as effective at supporting weight loss than the other four providers.
However, if you’ve decided to try semaglutide (when it’s available) but need support in making positive changes to your lifestyle, Second Nature could be an option for you. But it’s worth noting that we have strict eligibility criteria.
Second Nature has been clinically-sounding their weight loss.as part of our National Patient Visits to make Second Nature a reality.
If you’re new to weight loss treatments and want to learn more about them, we’re here to help.
Tablets like (the brand name for Orlistat) work by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs. Ordinarily, fats are broken down during the digestion process by enzymes called lipases. Xenical prevents these enzymes from working effectively, limiting how much fat your body is able to absorb. The remaining, undigested fat is then excreted.
In contrast to Xenical, weight loss injections (or pens) work by suppressing your appetite - particularly your appetite for fatty foods. Some weight loss injections also slow the digestion process down, making you feel fuller for longer. They’re simple to use - check out our for more information.
Clinical trials have repeatedly demonstrated the effectiveness of both weight loss tablets and injections, particularly in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle., participants using lost almost 15% of their body weight over a 15-month period.
Starting your weight loss journey is simple with IQ Doctor. To begin, click on a product and then hit the 'Start Consultation' button. The online consultation process is quick, simple and free; just complete the form and we’ll verify whether the medication is suitable for you or not. If it is, you can then place your order and receive it the very next day.
Complete our and you will be directed to the medication’s packaging for more information.If you want to start your weight loss journey now, you can do so using the online consultation process. Our experts will review your requirements and let you know if an eligible patient is available. Having a consultation with the online doctor is free and nothing costs more.
You can then place your order and receive it the very next day. We offer a confidential delivery guarantee; any medical conditions you have or who has a medical prescription will be handled by us as our own personal means of communication.
You can start your weight loss journey with the online consultation process or by completing it free of charge. Before you place your order, make sure you’re the right type of weight loss medication for your needs. The online doctor will review your medication and give you a recommendation; this will give you the start you need to make the most of your options. At first, you’ll have to consult with your doctor about your options, but it’s recommended that you discuss your medical history with only the latest research.
The doctor then checks your progress and if appropriate, the medication isatility (or safety) for your needs. Orlistat is about 15% of the calories from fat. It works by preventing the enzymes from working, which can lead to overactive gastrointestinal processes. Dosing is based on your individual needs, including your body’s reaction to the medication.
Your weight loss choices are:
The online doctor will issue a medical prescription to your order, ensuring you’re suitable for your chosen medication. This will help ensure that an eligible weight loss participant will be satisfied with your treatment. We only ever use genuine medications to help suppress your appetite, so check them out for great alternatives.
You’ll be required to complete a questionnaire designed to assist with diagnosis and treatment, ensuring you’re the right body weight loss person for your needs. The weight loss process is quick, simple and discreet,. Always listen to your body and consult with the online doctor before you stop taking any weight loss medication.
The doctor will evaluate your progress and send your medical prescription to you the very next day.
Healthy weight loss
Top tips for healthy weight loss:
To help you find out if you have a healthy body weight, measure your and waist circumference To lose weight, the energy you take in from food must be less than the energy you use – eat less, move more!
Set yourself realistic goals to achieve a healthy weight. Even small amounts of weight loss can have significant health benefits and can help to set you on a path to a healthier future. Guidelines recommend that you should try to lose weight gradually, about 1-2 lbs (approximately 0.5-1.0 kg) a week
Weight loss can reduce your risk of: heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
It can also reduce the risk of:
High blood pressure Angina (heart condition causing chest pain) High blood cholesterol levels Lower back and joint pain Fertility problems BMI and waist circumference
For most adults:
A BMI between 18.5 and 25 is defined as healthy. A BMI of over 25 is defined as overweight. A BMI of over 30 is defined as obese.
Waist-circumferences for which there is an increased risk and high risk of obesity-related health problems:
Increased risk High risk Men ≥94 cm (37 in) ≥102 cm (40 in) Women ≥80 cm (31.5 in) ≥88 cm (34.5 in)
Sensible weight loss should be seen as an overall lifestyle change which involves eating a healthy balanced diet and doing plenty of physical activity.
Guidelines recommend that you should try to lose weight gradually, about 1-2 lbs (approximately 0.5-1.0 kg) a week. This way, the weight is more likely to stay off. This rate of weight loss is based on using up 600 kcal per day more than you take in. On average, this means consuming no more than 1,400 kcal a day if you are a women, and no more than 1,900 kcal a day if you are a man. The amount of weight you lose will depend on how much weight you need to lose and how active you are.
Further information can be found on the manufacturers
Side Effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Orlistat.
The majority of unwanted effects related to the use of Orlistat result from its local action in your digestive system. These symptoms are generally mild, occur at the beginning of treatment and are particularly experienced after meals containing high levels of fat. Normally, these symptoms disappear if you continue treatment and keep to your recommended diet.
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
headache abdominal pain/discomfort urgent or increased need to open the bowels flatulence (wind) with or without discharge oily discharge, oily or fatty stools liquid stools low blood sugar levels (experienced by some people with type 2 diabetes) upper respiratory infections flu (influenza)
Most people are prescribed 2 medicines at the same time, Albuterol ( STORM) and Orlistat ( XENICAL ).
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and are so mild that they cannot be monitored.
If you have any side effects that are mild, very serious and do not require medical attention, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.
tablet topCommon side effects
The most common side effects of Orlistat are:
Headache abdominal pain/discomfort
Fatigue
Flu (influenza)
Lower respiratory infections
Dizziness
Impairedphabet�aphrod. (Loss of motor skills, weakness, confusion, and thoughts of suicide).
How does the drug interact with Orlistat 400mg Tablet:When Orlistat 400mg Tablet is taken with Minoxidil, Minipress should not be used to treat the following issues:
How it affects or lowers blood pressure (chronic stress):Orlistat 400mg Tablet can can decrease blood pressure byincreasing the risk of stroke and deep vein thrombosis, or byreducing the risk of low blood pressureimproving blood pressure. It can alsoimprove long-term blood pressure control, especially when taken for long periods of time. Regular monitoring of blood pressure is recommended for patients taking orlistat 400mg Tablet. If you have hypertension, low blood pressure, or other blood pressure, you should use Orlistat 400mg Tablet regularly to get the most benefit from the medication. If you have heart disease, a risk of heart attack or stroke increases. You should use Orlistat 400mg Tablet regularly to get the most benefit from the medication. If you have liver disease, a risk of liver damage increases. If you have kidney disease, a risk of kidney failure increases. If you have high blood pressure, you should use Orlistat 400mg Tablet to treat the high blood pressure. If you have high cholesterol, you should use Orlistat 400mg Tablet to treat the high cholesterol. Orlistat 400mg Tablet can also be used for the treatment of high blood pressure. It works by relaxing blood vessels, which can improve blood flow to the lungs and reduce the workload on the heart. You should use Orlistat 400mg Tablet to treat the high blood pressure. Orlistat 400mg Tablet can also be used for the treatment of high cholesterol. It works by lowering cholesterol in the liver and by increasing blood flow to the liver. It works by reducing the levels of orlistat in the liver. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Read the Patient Information Leaflet if you have any questions.
What are the possible side effects of Orlistat 400mg Tablet?The side effects of Orlistat 400mg Tablet arenot well understood, and may vary from person to personThe most common side effects include stomach upset, diarrhea, oily discharge, and flatulence. If you experience any severe side effects or a change in symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. In case of any discomfort, stop using the medication and seek emergency medical attention.
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