Orlistat

Some people experience side effects while taking orlistat. Most common side effects are linked to its action in the digestive system.

Very common side effects can include headache, stomach pain or discomfort, urgent or increased need to open the bowels, wind with discharge, oily discharge, oily or fatty stools, liquid stools and low blood sugar in some people with type 2 diabetes.

Common side effects can include rectal pain or discomfort, soft stools, stool leakage, bloating, tooth or gum problems, irregular menstrual cycle and tiredness.

These bowel-related side effects are more likely if meals are high in fat. Keeping to a lower-fat diet can reduce the likelihood of troublesome digestive effects.

Orlistat can reduce absorption of some fat-soluble nutrients, including vitamins A, D, E and K. A clinician may advise a multivitamin supplement, taken separately from orlistat, if appropriate.

Do not take Orlistat if you are allergic to orlistat or any ingredient in the capsules, if you have chronic malabsorption syndrome, cholestasis, or if you are breastfeeding.

Orlistat is not recommended during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, this must be reviewed before treatment.

Extra clinical review may be needed if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, epilepsy, digestive disease, eating disorder history, or if you are taking medicines for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, HIV, mental health conditions or anxiety.

Orlistat can interact with some medicines. Tell your clinician if you take warfarin or other anticoagulants, ciclosporin, levothyroxine, amiodarone, antiepileptic medicines, HIV medicines, diabetes medicines, antidepressants or any other regular medicines.

If you take the oral contraceptive pill and develop severe diarrhoea while using orlistat, an additional contraceptive method may be needed because severe diarrhoea can reduce pill effectiveness.

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe itching, signs of liver problems, symptoms of pancreatitis, or blood in the stool.

Seek medical advice if bowel symptoms are severe, persistent, worsening, or if you develop rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, ongoing abdominal pain or a change in bowel habit unrelated to treatment.