Teva Orlistat 120mg Capsules

Teva Orlistat 120mg Capsules: Weight Loss Treatment & Management UK Guide

Teva Orlistat 120mg Capsules contain 120mg of orlistat, a prescription weight-management medication used alongside a mildly hypocaloric diet and appropriate lifestyle measures for eligible adults with obesity or overweight with associated risk factors. Orlistat works mainly within the gastrointestinal tract by inhibiting gastric and pancreatic lipases, reducing the digestion and absorption of dietary fat.

Orlistat is intended to form part of a structured weight-management programme rather than replace dietary and lifestyle measures. Its effectiveness depends partly on following the recommended lower-fat diet, while treatment should be reviewed regularly to assess weight loss, tolerability and continued suitability.

What Is Teva Orlistat 120mg Used For?

• Obesity: Orlistat 120mg is indicated alongside a mildly hypocaloric diet for adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or greater.
• Overweight With Risk Factors: It may be prescribed for adults with a BMI of 28 kg/m² or greater when weight-related risk factors are present, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Weight Management: Orlistat provides pharmacological support for weight reduction by reducing the amount of dietary fat absorbed from meals.
• Long-Term Weight Control: Continued treatment should be reviewed according to weight-loss response and the overall weight-management plan rather than being used as a substitute for a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

How Does Teva Orlistat 120mg Work?

Orlistat is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor. It acts within the stomach and small intestine by binding to and inhibiting gastric and pancreatic lipases. These enzymes normally break down dietary triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides that can be absorbed. By reducing this process, orlistat causes a proportion of dietary fat to pass through the digestive system without being absorbed. Because its action depends on dietary fat, gastrointestinal effects are more likely when meals contain excessive amounts of fat. Following the recommended mildly hypocaloric diet can therefore improve tolerability as well as supporting weight loss.

How to Take Teva Orlistat 120mg

• Follow Your Prescription: Take Orlistat exactly as prescribed and use it alongside the recommended reduced-calorie, nutritionally balanced diet.
• Main-Meal Dosing: The usual adult dose is one 120mg capsule immediately before, during, or up to one hour after each main meal containing fat.
• Missed or Fat-Free Meal: If a main meal is missed or contains no fat, omit that dose. Do not take an extra capsule later to compensate.
• Dietary Programme: The recommended diet is mildly hypocaloric, nutritionally balanced and contains approximately 30% of calories from fat, with fat, carbohydrate and protein distributed across the three main meals.
• Whole-Capsule Administration: Swallow the capsule whole with water.
• Treatment Review: If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting body weight after 12 weeks of treatment, your prescriber should reassess whether Orlistat should be continued.
• Vitamin Supplementation: Orlistat can reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. A multivitamin supplement may be recommended and should generally be taken at least two hours after Orlistat or at bedtime.

Teva Orlistat 120mg Side Effects

Orlistat most commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects because unabsorbed dietary fat passes through the digestive tract. Following the recommended lower-fat diet can reduce the likelihood and severity of these effects.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Oily spotting
• Faecal urgency
• Oily or fatty stools
• Abdominal discomfort
• Flatulence with discharge
• Increased bowel movements

Some side effects are uncommon or rare but require medical attention. Severe persistent abdominal pain may indicate pancreatitis, while swelling of the throat or tongue or difficulty breathing may indicate a serious allergic reaction.

Important Warnings and Precautions

• Chronic Malabsorption: Orlistat should not be used by people with chronic malabsorption syndrome.
• Cholestasis: Orlistat is contraindicated in patients with cholestasis.
• Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Orlistat can reduce absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K, so appropriate dietary intake and, where advised, multivitamin supplementation should be considered.
• Diabetes: Weight loss can improve blood glucose control, so people taking medication for diabetes may need their treatment monitored or adjusted by a healthcare professional.
• Other Medicines: Orlistat can affect the absorption or effectiveness of medicines including ciclosporin, some antiepileptic medicines, HIV medicines, warfarin or other oral anticoagulants, amiodarone and levothyroxine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, vitamins and supplements you take.
• Contraception: Severe or prolonged diarrhoea can reduce the reliability of the combined oral contraceptive pill. Additional barrier contraception may be recommended in this situation.
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Orlistat is not normally used during pregnancy and is contraindicated during breastfeeding in the UK product information. Discuss pregnancy or breastfeeding with your doctor before treatment.
• Driving and Alertness: Orlistat is not generally expected to impair the ability to drive or operate machinery. Individual adverse effects should nevertheless be considered.

Stopping Teva Orlistat 120mg Treatment

Orlistat does not normally require gradual dose reduction when treatment is stopped. However, stopping treatment should be considered as part of the overall weight-management plan, particularly if the required weight-loss response has not been achieved. Continuing a balanced diet, appropriate calorie control and regular physical activity can help maintain weight loss after treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Teva Orlistat 120mg used for?

Orlistat 120mg is used alongside a mildly hypocaloric diet for eligible adults with obesity or adults who are overweight with associated weight-related risk factors. It reduces the absorption of dietary fat in the digestive system.

How should I take Orlistat 120mg?

The usual dose is one 120mg capsule immediately before, during or up to one hour after each main meal containing fat. If you skip a meal or the meal contains no fat, the dose should be omitted.

What happens if I eat a high-fat meal while taking Orlistat?

A high-fat meal can increase gastrointestinal side effects such as oily stools, urgency, flatulence with discharge and diarrhoea. Following the recommended lower-fat diet can make treatment easier to tolerate.

How long should I take Orlistat 120mg?

Treatment should be reviewed after 12 weeks. If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting body weight, your prescriber should reassess whether continuing Orlistat is appropriate.

Does Orlistat affect vitamins?

Yes. Orlistat can reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Your healthcare professional may recommend a multivitamin supplement, usually taken at least two hours after Orlistat or at bedtime.

Can I take Orlistat with other medications?

Orlistat can interact with or affect the absorption of several medicines, including warfarin, ciclosporin, some antiepileptic medicines, HIV medicines, amiodarone and levothyroxine. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about your current medications before starting treatment.