If you’re looking for a weight loss pill that doesn’t require a prescription, but still has the same effects as Orlistat, there are some options to consider. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best Orlistat OTC alternatives available without needing to see your doctor first!
Table of Contents
What is Orlistat
Orlistat is a weight loss medication that comes in two strengths. Full strength Orlistat, often distributed under the Xenical brand name, provides 120mg of the product. It also comes in a lower strength dose and sold under the brand names:
- Beacita
- Alli
- Orlos
Alli is perhaps the most well known alternative as it available to obtain over the counter. More on Alli a bit further down
Orlistat is a fat blocking tablet that suppresses the abilities of the digestive enzymes the body uses for breaking down food-provided fat.
These enzymes are located in the intestines and normally break down dietary fats into molecules. The molecules are small enough to be absorbed through the intestinal walls.
When people take Orlistat only 70% of dietary fat is absorbed. The other 30% passes through the intestines untouched and is passed with the stool.
There are similar weight loss medications but administered by injection such and Saxenda and the newly approved Wegovy
Xenical is a brand name for Orlistat. If you were to be prescribed Orlistat in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada or Australia it would most likely be Xenical.
How Much Weight Can I Lose With Orlistat?
Orlistat is a medication that works by inhibiting the absorption of some fat from food.
It does this in two ways: it blocks about 25% of dietary fats from being digested, and prevents another 20% to 30% from getting absorbed into your body.
The end result?
A loss between six pounds and 12 pounds per year for people who follow their diet while on or after taking Orlistat without making other changes to their lifestyle habits!
Some of the diet pills comparable to Orlistat can produce similar weight loss results – more on this further down this article.
Who Is Orlistat For?
Orlistat is for those who need to lose weight and are overweight or obese, but have not been able to do so through dieting or exercise alone.
Orlistat helps people by reducing the amount of fat in their diets. It can be used on a daily basis which means that it will work as long as you are following your prescribed diet plan while taking it.
Alternatives to Orlistat That Can Be Obtained over the Counter
Pills similar to Orlistat OTC?
There are many over the counter alternatives to Orlistat available that can be bought without a prescription.
These medications are just as effective and do not present the risk of side effects.
They will still help you lose weight if used correctly on top of dieting and exercise.
Orlistat v Alli
As we have learnt – Orlistat is a weight loss medication that comes in two strengths. Full strength Orlistat, often distributed under the Xenical brand name, provides 120mg of the product. The reduced strength version, called Alli, only contains 60mg.
Orlistat (120mg) is only available to people who have a doctor’s prescription.
Alli (60mg) can be obtained over-the-counter at pharmacies, but restrictions are in place and pharmacists have strict guidelines they must adhere to when considering selling Alli to their customers.
Doctors have their own guidelines they must adhere to and they are stricter still.
| Guidelines for Doctors Include: Patient must be aged 28+ The BMI must be 30+ The patient must have a medical condition that is made worse/more dangerous by their obesity. | Guidelines for Pharmacists Include: The customer must be aged 18+ The BMI must be 28+ The BMI must be checked each time Orlistat is requested. |
Both strengths are designed to be used alongside diet and exercise. The doctor/pharmacist will provide suggestions on this.
If a patient fails to show a 5% decrease in body weight after 3 months of treatment the doctor will terminate the prescription. If satisfactory results are apparent the prescription may be continued for several more months/years or until the patient reaches a healthy weight. The maximum Alli usage period is six months.
Capsules can be taken up to 60 minutes before eating a meal and up to 60 minutes after a meal has been consumed. Three doses are required per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner). If a meal is missed, or provides a negligible amount of fat, the dose corresponding to that meal may be skipped because there will be no fat for it to block
Orlistat V PhenQ
PhenQ is another diet pill that works like Orlistat – in so much as it prevents the absorption of fat.
It is not a medicine like Orlistat, but it does block fat absorption by inhibiting lipases and also stimulates the metabolism.
PhenQ was created in 2015 and made from natural ingredients. So you can buy this over the counter without worrying about any side effects.
Orlistat and PhenQ have a similar mechanic of action. They have to be used regularly which means that if you don’t take enough of it then there will still be some fat getting absorbed in your system.
If you take too much PhenQ, it may lead to stomach cramps and diarrhea. This is only a slight drawback for PhenQ. Phenq has no major side effects like Orlistat does.
What are the best alternatives to Orlistat that can be bought OTC? The answer is PhenQ!
It’s a naturally formulated weight loss pill. This means you don’t have to worry about any dangerous side effects if taken in moderation (too high doses will give a few unpleasant symptoms).
And not only does it work just as well as prescribed-strength weight loss tablets at fighting fat absorption, but also stimulates metabolism for increased weight loss results.
PhenQ is often compared to Phentermine and presented as an alternative to Phentermine.
Suitability
Orlistat is unsuitable for certain types of people.
- Women who are pregnant or nursing a child.
- People suffering from kidney stones.
- Those who have an underactive thyroid.
- Anyone suffering from cholestasis.
- People suffering from malabsorption syndrome.
Unfavorable Interactions & Other Considerations
It is not suitable for use alongside certain medications.
A few examples are:
- Warfarin
- Acarbose
- Amiodarone
- Ciclosporin
- Some treatments used for treating epilepsy
People who are using Orlistat may have to supplement their diet with extra vitamins because the fat blocking abilities may lead to a deficiency in vitamins A, D, E, and K. All of which are fat soluble vitamins.
It may also interfere with the way contraceptive pills work.
Potential for Side Effects
Flatulence and stomach pain are a possibility. The main side effect likely to be experienced is greasy stools.
Things may get more unpleasant if high amounts of fat are consumed while using the fat reducing tablets. This is because it will have an increased quantity of fat to block.
All that extra undigested fat in the intestines could seek its exit with little or no warning, leading to embarrassing situations.
Some research suggests a link between Orlistat usage and liver/kidney damage. An initial review conducted by the FDA brought to light 32 cases of serious liver injury and 6 cases of liver failure.
A later review identified 13 instances of severe liver injury. Twelve of them were attributed to full strength Orlistat, the other was due to Alli.
Two of the patients died and three of them had to undergo a liver transplant procedure.
However, more than 40 million people have used Orlistat without encountering such problems, so the FDA has not renounced its approval of the drug.
The label has been revised though, and now draws attention to the fact that Orlistat may be damaging to important organs.
Orlistat Over the Counter Alternatives – Summary
Pills like Otlistat OTC?
PhenQ is arguably the best alternative to Orlistat and many prescription weight loss pills.
PhenQ is made in FDA approved facilites and proven to help with your fat absorption, metabolism stimulation, and weight loss results.
There are no known side effects with PhenQ that come from taking too high of a dose or for those under 18 years old who may not want to take prescribed medication without their parents’ consent.
*It also has the added benefit of being able to purchase it over-the-counter so there is no need for prescriptions.*
If you are looking for an over the counter weight loss pill that does not require a prescription and actually works, PhenQ is your best bet.
If you’re looking for an over-the-counter alternative to Orlistat, we recommend PhenQ.
Our team of experts researched the top weight loss pills and found that this one is by far the best option available without a prescription.
We hope you find our findings helpful in your quest for finding an effective way to finally lose those stubborn pounds!
Click here to learn more about how PhenQ can help you get rid of unwanted belly fat, boost metabolism levels, reduce sugar cravings and feel energized all day long.
FAQ’s
Orlistat is the medication, the product – Xenical is the brand it is sold under.
PhenQ is widely thought to be a good alternative. It works in much the same way by absorbing dietary fat. PhenQ is formulated from natural ingredients and can be purchased over the counter or online without prescription
