Orlistat for Weight Loss: How Does Orlistat Work

Orlistat Administration and Dosage

Orlistat can be given in a prescription form (Xenical)or over-the-counter form (Alli). Xenical is started as a 120 mg pill taken three times a day with each main meal that contains fat.  Alli is given as a 60mg pill in the same manner. Either form should be taken during a meal or up to one hour after. If a meal has no fat, then you can skip the dose. 

This medication must be taken with a nutritionally balanced, reduced-calorie diet containing approximately 30% of calories from fats. It is also important to ensure you efficiently take fat-soluble vitamin supplements (D, E, A, and K) to prevent deficiency. Also, you may benefit from taking supplements or eating foods that contain healthy fats, such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. For best results, you should also engage in regular exercise of about 150 minutes per week.