Teva Orlistat 120mg Capsules: Weight Loss & Obesity Treatment UK Guide
Teva Orlistat 120 mg Capsules contain 120 mg of orlistat, a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and lifestyle changes to support weight management in adults with obesity or overweight accompanied by weight-related risk factors. Orlistat works mainly within the digestive system by inhibiting enzymes called lipases, reducing the amount of dietary fat digested and absorbed by the body.
For adults prescribed orlistat 120 mg, the usual dose is one 120 mg capsule with each main meal, taken immediately before, during or up to one hour after eating. If a meal is missed or contains no fat, the dose should be omitted. Treatment should be combined with a nutritionally balanced, mildly calorie-controlled diet and appropriate lifestyle measures, with treatment response assessed during the course of therapy.
What Is Teva Orlistat 120mg Used For?
- Obesity Treatment: Orlistat can be prescribed for adults with a BMI of 30 or more as part of a comprehensive weight-management programme.
- Overweight With Risk Factors: Orlistat may be prescribed for certain adults with a BMI of 28 or above who have weight-related risk factors or conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Weight Reduction: Orlistat reduces the digestion and absorption of some dietary fat and can contribute to weight loss when combined with an appropriate calorie-controlled diet.
- Weight Management: Orlistat forms part of a broader approach to weight management that includes dietary changes and regular physical activity.
- Prescription Treatment: Orlistat 120 mg is a prescription-strength medicine and should be used according to the advice of a healthcare professional.
- 12-Week Review: Treatment response should be assessed during the first months of therapy. If an appropriate amount of weight loss has not been achieved after 12 weeks, the need for continued treatment should be reviewed.
Orlistat is intended for eligible adults whose weight may increase the risk of health problems. Its effect depends on reducing dietary fat absorption and should be combined with appropriate dietary and lifestyle measures rather than used as a standalone weight-loss treatment.
How Does Teva Orlistat 120mg Work?
Orlistat inhibits gastrointestinal lipases, which are enzymes responsible for breaking down dietary fats into forms that can be absorbed by the body. By reducing the digestion of dietary fat, orlistat decreases the amount of fat absorbed through the digestive tract. The unabsorbed fat passes through the digestive system and is eliminated in the stools. Orlistat acts mainly within the gastrointestinal tract rather than working as a centrally acting appetite suppressant, so its effects are directly related to dietary fat intake.
How to Take Teva Orlistat 120mg Capsules
- Swallow Whole: Swallow the capsule whole with water. Do not crush or chew the capsule unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional.
- Adults: The usual adult dose is one 120 mg capsule with each main meal, up to three times daily.
- Meal-Based Dose: Take orlistat immediately before, during or up to one hour after each main meal that contains dietary fat.
- No-Fat Meals: If a main meal is missed or contains no fat, the corresponding orlistat dose should be omitted.
- Special Patient Groups: The prescriber or pharmacist will determine whether orlistat is appropriate based on age, BMI, existing health conditions, diet and other medicines.
- With Main Meals: Orlistat is specifically taken in connection with meals because its action depends on dietary fat being present in the digestive tract.
- Missed Dose: If a meal is missed or contains no fat, do not take an additional capsule later to compensate for the omitted dose.
- Treatment Duration: Orlistat is generally continued only while it provides an appropriate weight-management benefit. Treatment should be reviewed if sufficient weight loss has not been achieved during the initial treatment period.
The usual maximum routine dose is one 120 mg capsule with each main meal, up to three capsules daily. Taking more than the prescribed amount does not provide additional weight-loss benefit and may increase unwanted gastrointestinal effects.
Teva Orlistat 120mg Side Effects
Orlistat commonly causes gastrointestinal effects because some dietary fat remains undigested and passes through the bowel. Recognised effects include:
- Diarrhoea
- Flatulence
- Oily Stools
- Oily Spotting
- Bowel Urgency
- Abdominal Pain
- Frequent Bowel Movements
Important Warnings and Precautions
- Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Orlistat can reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins because it reduces dietary fat absorption. Appropriate vitamin supplementation may be considered during treatment.
- Warfarin: Patients taking warfarin or other medicines affected by changes in vitamin absorption should discuss orlistat treatment with their doctor or pharmacist.
- Amiodarone: Orlistat can affect the absorption or effectiveness of amiodarone in some patients. Medical advice and monitoring may be required when these medicines are used together.
- Levothyroxine: Orlistat can interact with levothyroxine and may affect thyroid treatment. Patients taking levothyroxine should discuss the combination with a healthcare professional.
- Other Medicines: Orlistat can affect the absorption or effectiveness of certain medicines, including some medicines used for HIV infection and some treatments for mental health conditions. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines and supplements you take.
- Liver Problems: Rare but serious liver problems have been reported with orlistat. Seek medical advice if symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine or persistent upper abdominal pain develop.
- Acute Pancreatitis: Severe or persistent abdominal pain, particularly when extending through to the back, may indicate pancreatitis and requires urgent medical assessment.
- Severe Allergic Reactions: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or a severe itchy rash can indicate a serious allergic reaction requiring urgent medical attention.
- Pregnancy: Orlistat is not used during pregnancy because intentional weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding: Orlistat is not usually recommended during breastfeeding because its effects on breastfed infants have not been adequately established.
- Dietary Fat: Eating high-fat meals while taking orlistat increases the likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects such as oily stools, bowel urgency and flatulence. A balanced, mildly calorie-controlled diet with an appropriate fat intake is recommended.
Stopping Teva Orlistat 120mg Treatment
Orlistat should be used alongside ongoing dietary and lifestyle measures. Treatment should be reviewed if sufficient weight loss has not been achieved after the initial treatment period, including the 12-week assessment. After stopping orlistat, maintaining a balanced diet, appropriate calorie intake and regular physical activity remains important for long-term weight management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orlistat 120mg a prescription-strength dose?
Yes. Orlistat 120 mg is the prescription strength used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and lifestyle changes for eligible adults with obesity or overweight plus weight-related risk factors. The treatment should be used as directed by a healthcare professional.
How does Orlistat 120mg help with weight loss?
Orlistat 120 mg works in the digestive system by inhibiting enzymes called gastrointestinal lipases. This reduces the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat, so fewer calories from fat are absorbed by the body and weight loss can occur alongside a reduced-calorie diet.
Can Orlistat 120mg be taken with every meal?
Orlistat 120 mg is taken with each main meal that contains fat. The capsule should be taken immediately before, during, or up to one hour after the meal. If a main meal is missed or contains no fat, the dose should be omitted.
What happens if a meal contains no fat while taking Orlistat 120mg?
If a main meal contains no fat, an Orlistat 120 mg dose is not needed and should generally be omitted. Orlistat works by reducing the absorption of dietary fat, so taking it with a fat-free meal provides no additional benefit.
How long can Orlistat 120mg be taken for?
The duration of Orlistat 120 mg treatment depends on individual response and medical assessment. Weight loss should normally be reviewed after 12 weeks, and treatment is generally discontinued if the required weight-loss response has not been achieved. Longer-term treatment should continue only when considered appropriate by a healthcare professional.
Can Orlistat 120mg affect vitamin absorption?
Yes. Because Orlistat reduces the absorption of dietary fat, it can also reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K. A healthcare professional may recommend a multivitamin supplement, usually taken at a separate time from Orlistat.
