alli is indicated for weight loss in adults who are overweight (body mass index, BMI, 28 kg/m2) and should be taken in conjunction with a mildly hypocaloric, lower-fat diet. We cannot supply this item to anyone with a BMI of under 28.
Product Description
alli is indicated for weight loss in adults who are overweight (body mass index, BMI, 28 kg/m2) and should be taken in conjunction with a mildly hypocaloric, lower-fat diet.
BMI (body mass index) is a way to measure how healthy your weight is relative to your height. To find out your BMI, click here.
The active substance in alli is designed to target fat in your digestive system. It stops about a quarter of the fat in your meals from being absorbed. This fat will pass out of the body in your stools. It is therefore important that you commit to a lower-fat diet to manage these effects.
Pharmacist reviewed 07/19
Usage/Instructions
How to take alli capsules:
Adults 18 and over: Take one capsule, three times a day, just before, during or up to one hour after meals. Swallow the capsule whole with water. Do not take more than 3 capsules a day.
This usually means one capsule at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
If you miss a meal, or your meal contains no fat, do not take a capsule. alli does not work unless there is some fat in the meal.
Physical activity is an important part of a weight loss programme. Remember to check with your doctor first, if you have not exercised before. Continue to be active while taking alli and after you stop taking it.
alli should not be taken for more than six months. If you do not lose weight after taking alli for 12 weeks, see your doctor or pharmacist for advice. You may need to stop taking alli.
Do not take more than 3 capsules a day. If you have taken too many capsules, contact a doctor as soon as possible.
If you miss taking a capsule: If it is less than an hour since your last main meal, take the missed capsule. If it is more than an hour since your last main meal, do not take the missed capsule. Wait and take the next capsule around your next main meal as usual.
Warnings
Do not take alli capsules:
- If you are allergic to orlistat or any of the ingredients of this medicine (please see leaflet enclosed with your medicine)
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- If you are taking ciclosporin, used after organ transplants, for severe rheumatoid arthritis and some severe skin conditions.
- If you are taking warfarin or other medicines used to thin the blood.
- If you have cholestasis (condition where the flow of bile from the liver is blocked).
- If you have problems absorbing food (chronic malabsorption syndrome) diagnosed by a doctor.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking alli capsules if you have:
- diabetes. Tell your doctor who may need to adjust your anti-diabetic medicine.
- have kidney disease. Talk to your doctor before taking alli if you have problems with your kidneys. The use of orlistat may be associated with kidney stones in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease.
This medicine must not be taken by children and adolescents under 18 years old.
Do not take alli with these medicines
- Ciclosporin: ciclosporin is used after organ transplants, for severe rheumatoid arthritis and some severe skin conditions.
- Warfarin or other medicines used to thin the blood.
The oral contraceptive pill and alli
- The oral contraceptive pill may be less effective if you get severe diarrhoea. Use an extra method of contraception if you get severe diarrhoea.
Take a multivitamin every day if you are taking alli
- alli can lower the levels of some vitamins absorbed by your body. The multivitamin should contain vitamins A, D, E and K. You should take the multivitamin at bedtime, when you will not be taking alli, to help ensure that the vitamins are absorbed.
Talk to your doctor before taking alli if you are taking
- amiodarone, used for heart rhythm problems.
- acarbose, (an anti-diabetic medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus). alli is not recommended for people taking acarbose.
- a thyroid medicine (levothyroxine) as it may be necessary to adjust your dose and take your medicines at different times of the day.
- a medicine for epilepsy as any changes in the frequency and severity of your convulsions should be discussed with your doctor.
- medicines to treat HIV. It is important that you consult your doctor before taking alli if you are receiving treatment for HIV.
- medicines for depression, psychiatric disorders or anxiousness.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist when taking alli
- If you are taking a medicine for high blood pressure as it may be necessary to adjust your dose.
- If you are taking a medicine for high cholesterol as it may be necessary to adjust your dose.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking alli capsules if you are taking any prescribed medicines.
Side Effects
Serious side effects
It is not known how frequently these side effects occur
- Severe allergic reactions - severe breathing difficulties, sweating, rash, itching, swollen face, rapid heartbeat, collapse. Stop taking the capsules. Get medical help immediately.
- Bleeding from the back passage (rectum)
- Diverticulitis (inflammation of the large intestine). Symptoms may include lower stomach (abdominal) pain, particularly on the left side, possibly with fever and constipation
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Symptoms may include severe abdominal pain sometimes radiating towards the back, possibly with fever, nausea and vomiting
- Skin blistering (including blisters that burst)
- Severe stomach pain caused by gallstones.
- Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). Symptoms can include yellowing skin and eyes, itching, dark coloured urine, stomach pain and liver tenderness (indicated by pain under the front of the rib cage on your right hand side), sometimes with loss of appetite.
- Oxalate nephropathy (build-up of calcium oxalate which may lead to kidney stones).
Stop taking the capsules. Tell your doctor if you get any of these.
Very common side effects
These may affect more than 1 in 10 people
- Wind (flatulence), with or without oily spotting
- Sudden bowel motions
- Fatty or oily stools
- Soft stools
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of these side effects gets severe or troublesome.
Common side effects
These may affect up to 1 in 10 people
- Stomach (abdominal) pain
- Incontinence (stools)
- Runny/liquid stools
- More frequent bowel motions
- Anxiety
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of these side effects gets severe or troublesome.
Effects seen in blood tests
It is not known how frequently these effects occur
- Increases in the levels of some liver enzymes
- Effects on blood clotting in people taking warfarin or other blood-thinning (anti-coagulant) medicines Tell your doctor that you are taking alli when you have a blood test.
Like all medications, alli capsules can have side effects, however not everyone will experience these. If you are concerned about any of these side effects or any other side effects, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Ingredients
Active ingredient: Orlistat 60mg.
Other ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose (E460), Sodium starch glycolate (Type A), Povidone (E1201) (Kvalue 30), Sodium laurilsulfate, Talc, Gelatin, Indigo carmine (E132), Titanium dioxide (E171), Sorbitan monolaurate, Shellac, Iron oxide black (E172), Propylene glycol, Polysorbate 80.