Orlistat

[tinatina]

I've recently been given Orlistat to lose weight as I am at risk of developing diabetes if not. I have recently started Orlistat and within a week lost several pounds. I stopped it for a few days over the Christmas and have now restarted BUT it is not working in the same way. I dont get the runs (not a bad thing) but more importantly I can eat ANYTHING and it has no effect (regardless of the amount of fat content)!!! Really puzzled by this as it was originally helping me to lose water retention and helped my feet as they were REALLY swollen. Is this normal? Has anyone else experienced this as well? I liked the fact that it was gave a "warning" sign when I ate the wrong things but right now I'm rather dubious about continuing with it if I can eat anything! Defeats the whole object! I'm constipated, bloaty feeling as well. Can someone HELP me as I really need to lose the weight! Thanks in advance.

 

[louiseb]

I also took these tablets for a few weeks and has no side effects although I was following a low fat diet whilst taking them.
it seems strange that you can eat anything you want with no side effects and they are not helping with the weight loss.
you say you stopped taking can I ask how long ago? as maybe they have went out of date in the time since you stopped them or maybe you have not stored them properly in too cold or too warm temperature?
anyway if I were you I would speak to your gp as to whether or not to continue taking them, prescribing guidelines for them state you have to be weighed once a month to see if you have lost enough weight to justify them being prescribed again as they are an expensive drug well thats what my gp told me anyway. so you should be due to see your gp again soon to discuss the orlistat this is the best person to speak to as nobody on the forum is medically qualified to comment.

 

[cugila]

I agree with Louiseb. Orlistat is supposed to be used in conjunction with a low fat diet as too much can have 'unfortunate' consequences. :shock:

Constipation and bloating is not normally a side effect of this drug so you need to discuss it with the GP, especially as it appears to be having no effect on you.

Prescribing guidelines in the BNF60 state:

continue treatment beyond 12 weeks only if weight loss since start of treatment exceeds 5%

The above relates to a non-Diabetic. The target may be lower in a Type 2 Diabetic.