Orlistat - can diet pills harm the body?

How does it work?

Orlistat inhibits lipases (enzymes that break down fats into individual components) and prevents the absorption of fatty components into the blood. Due to this, they do not settle in the tissues, but are excreted along with bowel movements.

When the broken down fat components stop entering the bloodstream and supplying the body with energy, it begins to use existing fat reserves to make up for the lack of calories. This helps to reduce body weight.

One dose of the drug removes up to 30% of fats accumulated in the body. At the same time, Orlistat is safe, since its components are not absorbed into the blood, but exert their effect only in the intestinal walls.

Orlistat also helps reduce appetite, which helps you stick to a strict diet.

The drug is completely eliminated from the body 5 days after stopping use.

Studies show that with systematic use of the drug, you can lose weight by an average of 10-15 kg in three months, which does not have a negative impact on the functioning of the body.

What to remember

• Any pharmaceutical means for weight loss are medications that can sometimes affect you in the most unexpected and unpleasant ways. You should resort to them only in extreme cases and only after consulting a doctor.
• Long-term consequences of lack of essential fats. Interventions in the body’s activities can also negatively affect the further functioning of all its systems. It is likely that after you stop taking it, all the lost kilograms will return to you again.
• Rather than spending quite a lot of money on the purchase of dubious pills, it is better to spend it on purchasing fruits, vegetables and other products related to a healthy diet. And also devote time to at least minimal physical activity. This way you will definitely not harm your body, but at the same time you will acquire useful habits.

What do you think about these weight loss methods, friends? I'd be glad to hear your opinion. With this I say goodbye to you. See you again in new articles!

Method of administration, dosage

The drug is intended for oral administration. It is necessary to take 1 capsule (120 mg) 3 times a day, during each main meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) or an hour after. Capsules should be taken with plenty of water.

Chewing or opening capsules is strictly prohibited!

The drug must be taken in connection with meals. If a meal was missed for some reason, then it is better not to drink the capsule. Next time you should not increase the dose either.

Taking Orlistat alone for weight loss is not enough. It is necessary to take the drug in combination with physical activity and a low-calorie diet.

The average course of taking the drug is 3 months. Sometimes it can be reduced or increased according to the doctor's recommendations. The maximum course can last 2 years.

I will never buy Orlistat again

Review left by VeniAmin

Grade: 2

(out of 5)

Advantages:

The result is not bad

Flaws:

Tough in everything

I took Orlistat capsules for 3 weeks. During this time, he turned into a dehydrated creature who cannot live without a toilet and shower. I lost weight and it’s normal, but I don’t dare go through the horror of an adverse reaction again.

After 2 days of taking it, a nightmare began - my stomach twists and hurts, I feel nauseous, I spend the whole day running to the toilet. After 10 days it got worse - dizziness, lethargy, and weakness appeared. I was later told that this is how dehydration manifests itself. And this is scary. At least I ate normally, otherwise I could have died. At the same time, fecal incontinence began to develop - I simply did not notice when bowel movements began, so the shower stall also became a second home.

Contraindications and restrictions

The drug should not be used by people who have:

• allergic reaction to the components of the drug;
• impaired absorption in the gastrointestinal tract;
• kidney disease;
• bile stagnation;
• pregnancy and lactation.

For children under 16 years of age and elderly people over 65, the use of Orlistat is also contraindicated.

Women using birth control pills should take it with caution, as the components of Orlistat reduce the effect of oral contraceptives.

Side effects

Orlistat has a direct effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, so symptoms such as:

• increased gas formation;
• inability to control bowel movements.

These symptoms indicate difficulty digesting fats and are the most common. In most cases, they are eliminated after eliminating fatty and unhealthy foods from the diet.

The following symptoms are more alarming and if detected, you should consult a doctor:

• headache;
• chills or fever;
• cough, discomfort in the throat;
• nasal congestion;
• dental problems (caries);
• urinary tract infections;
• signs of kidney damage: dark urine, yellowing of the skin, general weakness and malaise.

Signs for which you should immediately call an ambulance:

• the appearance of a rash on the skin;
• breathing complications;
• edema.

Side effects during therapy with Orlistat are observed in rare cases, but still, if any of these symptoms are detected, you should seek help from a specialist.

I take Orlistat as needed

Review left by Tacharina

Grade: 3

(out of 5)

Advantages:

Convenient and efficient

Flaws:

Horrible adverse reaction

I once took a weight loss course with the help of Orlistat, the impressions were positive, but only from the effect. And now I use capsules to maintain weight. I only drink them when I have eaten fatty foods. That is, I take Orlistat three times in one day. This way, everything you eat comes out (fat is not stored)

Release form, price, where to buy

Orlistat is available in the form of blue film-coated capsules of 120 and 60 mg.

Average price of Orlistat from a Russian manufacturer:

• 120 mg: 21 pcs. – from 700 to 900 rub.
• 42 pcs. – from 900 to 1200 rub.
• 84 pcs. – from 1400 to 1700 rub.

The drug from a Swiss manufacturer will cost more. Approximately - 2000-2400 rubles. per package (120 mg).

You can purchase Orlistat both in city pharmacies and in online pharmacies.

Large quantities of the drug are cheaper, so it is better to purchase the entire course at once.

Price

The cost of the drug is determined by the number of capsules in the package. The price of the medicine may vary in individual pharmacies. Specific cost examples are shown in the table:

Analogs

There are several drugs that can replace Orlistat in their effects. All of them contain the active substance – orlistat:

• Listata. The method of action is similar to Orlistat. Sold in tablet form, 60 pcs. packaged. Average price – 900 rubles.
• Xenalten. Promotes the breakdown of fat accumulations in the body. Available in capsule form (120 mg). Average price per package 21 pcs. – 800 rub., 42 pcs. – 1000 rub., 84 pcs. – 1800 rub.
• Xenical. Swiss drug. Used for obesity. Available in tablet form (120 mg). Average price for 21 pcs. – 1500 rub., for 42 pcs. – 2000 rub., 84 pcs. – 3500 rub.
• Orsoten. A drug for reducing excess body weight. Sold in tablet form. Average price for 21 pcs. – 650 rub., for 42 pcs. – 1000 rub., for 84 pcs. – 1750 rub.

The video talks about Orlistat as one of the effective anti-obesity drugs, its mechanism of action and effect on the body:

Interactions with drugs

Orlistat reduces the ability to absorb beta-carotene from dietary supplements. The same applies to vitamins E and D, which belong to the fat-soluble group. If Orlistat for weight loss is taken simultaneously with Cyclosporine, the plasma content of the first drug may become reduced. For this reason, a time interval of 2-3 hours must be strictly observed between the use of these two drugs. Other cases of interaction:

1. When combined with levothyroxine sodium, the development of hypothyroidism is sometimes possible. In this case, constant monitoring of thyroid function is required and a gap of 4 or more hours between doses is required.
2. It is also noted that Orlistat increases the concentration of pravastin in the bloodstream by approximately 30%.

Consumer Reviews

You can learn about the therapeutic effect of the drug on excess weight by reading the opinions of people who are faced with the problem of obesity.

Zhanna, 29 years old. Orlistat helped me start eating healthy. In the first days after taking the drug, I felt some discomfort in the form of increased gas formation and diarrhea. But then, on the advice of the doctor, I switched to proper nutrition, removed fatty and unhealthy foods from my diet, and immediately felt much better. In 3 months I lost almost 10 kg.

Anastasia, 35 years old. Orlistat was prescribed to me by an endocrinologist when my weight became significantly higher than normal. I drank it in combination with proper nutrition and physical activity. During the three-month course I lost 15 kg. I didn’t find any side effects.

Irina, 28 years old. I started taking Orlistat when my weight rose above 110 kg. I immediately started eating right, swimming and doing gymnastics. I noticed that the drug reduced the feeling of hunger, which contributed to diet compliance. Side effects manifested themselves in the form of loose stools, but only at first. During the therapeutic course, I lost almost 20 kg.

When using Orlistat, side effects are observed in the form of increased gas formation and stomach upset. These negative factors disappear when you switch to a strict diet, eliminating harmful and fatty foods from your diet. Orlistat promotes safe loss of large amounts of excess weight and is recommended for obese people.

Dubious benefit

And now it’s time to talk about the dangers of Orlistat

There is no such thing as too much insulin

The function of lowering insulin levels can bring not only benefits, but also harm - for those people who feel the need for constant monitoring.

More fat?

Studies have shown that Orlistat is more effective the higher the proportion of fat in the diet (at least 20-30%). However, recommendations when taking the drug state that it is necessary to reduce their share.

Hence a contradiction arises - on the one hand, the more fat in the food, the more effective the effect, on the other hand, the worse the situation with the stool.

Increased appetite

Despite the fact that the stomach does not seem to want to eat, the brain does not have enough calories. While taking the drug, patients practically do not change their eating habits.

And as a result, focusing on the needs of the brain, they eat even more, stretching their stomach.

Fat blocking

Orlistat blocks not only “harmful” fats, but also beneficial ones, in particular, essential fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6.

In addition, the process of absorption of fat-soluble vitamins is poor. The result is a deterioration in the condition of nails, skin, hair, and general well-being.

In addition, since the pills block lipase, the body, which considers the whole situation stressful, begins to produce it in increased quantities. As a result, after discontinuation of the drug, increased digestibility of fats begins.

Dangerous dosage

According to tests, this fat blocker is most effective at a maximum dosage of 360 mg. However, experts note that this dose is too high and can be dangerous.

Reviews of Orlistat tablets indicate that it has a very different effect on people. Patients often complain of severe side effects.

Others object to them, arguing that they should have simply adjusted their diet. In particular, do not eat fatty foods, and then everything will be fine. Do you have your own experience using these tablets? Share in the comments to the article!