Xenical is a weight loss capsule that stops around one third of the fat that you eat from being processed into the body. It’s a fat binding treatment, which means it helps the body get rid of fat before it’s absorbed.
Orlistat is the active ingredient in Xenical 120mg capsules. Xenical is the branded version of ‘Orlistat’ and the higher dose version of Alli (which only contains 60mg of orlistat).
Xenical should be used in combination with a low calorie diet and regular exercise, even if it’s just a few minutes a day to get your heart rate up. As well as helping you reach your weight loss goals, exercising regularly can help reduce your risk of heart disease, fractures and breast cancer.[2] Doing regular workouts can also improve your energy, all-round strength, and quality of sleep.
How does Xenical work?
It helps enzymes get rid of fat from the body without absorbing it. It’s very effective [1] for many people who use it, but everyone has the potential of reacting differently to the medication.
Xenical only eliminates fat from your diet; it cannot remove fat that’s already been processed by the body. This is why exercise is so important. If the meal you’re eating contains no fat, Xenical won’t provide any benefits for weight loss.
Is Xenical the right weight loss treatment for me?
Fat binding weight loss products like Xenical are only suitable for people whose BMI is at least 30 (or 28 if you have other risk factors such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes). Xenical comes in a capsule, so if capsules are a preferred form of weight loss medication for you, it may be the right fit.
Whether Xenical is the best weight loss product for you will also depend on how prone you are to certain side effects, if you have a particular health condition or if you are currently taking other medication that may interact with Xenical. We’ll take all these things into consideration as part of your Treated consultation, before deciding if it’s a safe and appropriate treatment for you.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Ms Laurenmarie Cormier on October 14, 2024. Next review due on October 14, 2027.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to use Xenical
Take one capsule with each of your three main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) every day. You can take it just before, during or up to one hour after your meal. Swallow the capsule whole with water.
Xenical is only effective when you consume dietary fat, so if you miss a main meal or if you have a meal that doesn’t contain any fat, you don’t need to take it.
What to eat when taking Xenical
Xenical should be used alongside a well-balanced, calorie controlled diet that’s rich in fruit and vegetables and contains an average of 30% of calories from fat sources. [1] Your daily intake of carbohydrates, protein and fat should be spread over three meals.
To get the most benefit from Xenical, avoid consuming foods that contain fat, such as chocolate, biscuits and savory snacks, between meals.
If I miss a Xenical capsule, what should I do?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember (so long as this is within one hour of your last meal). You can then continue to take it as you normally would. Don’t take twice the amount to make up for a missed dose.
If you miss several doses, tell us. Don’t make any adjustments to your dose without chatting to a clinician about it first, and if you have any other questions, just let them know.
Treated trusted source:
Van Gaal, L.F., Broom, J.I., Enzi, G., Toplak, H. and The Orlistat Dose-Ranging Study Group (1998). Efficacy and tolerability of orlistat in the treatment of obesity: a 6-month dose-ranging study. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, [online] 54(2), pp.125–132.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Ms Laurenmarie Cormier on October 14, 2024. Next review due on October 14, 2027.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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There are some things you need to watch out for when using Xenical, and not everyone can use it.
Here’s the official safety info. If there’s something you’re not sure about, let us know.
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Xenical: FAQ
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How long does Xenical take to work?
Answer:
Xenical starts working right away, but it may take several weeks to notice a change in your body weight. Your doctor will suggest an initial 12-week trial, and if there’s no significant weight loss, they’ll recommend stopping or switching to another treatment.
Can you take two Alli pills instead of one Xenical pill?
Answer:
No, you shouldn't take two Alli capsules to match the dosage of one Xenical capsule. Xenical is a prescription-only treatment, which means you need to see a doctor for a diagnosis to ensure it's suitable for you. They’ll also monitor you during the treatment to check it’s working well.
Taking a higher dose without a doctor's supervision can put your health at risk and may lead to an overdose.
Can I buy Xenical over the counter?
Answer:
No, Xenical is a prescription-only treatment. This way, your doctor can check it's safe and suitable for you and monitor your progress while on treatment.
Does Xenical reduce appetite?
Answer:
No, Xenical doesn’t work by reducing appetite. Instead, it binds to the enzymes that digest fat, preventing some of the fat you eat from being absorbed. This means your body takes in fewer calories when you eat foods containing dietary fat. Your body might then start breaking down stored fat instead to meet your energy needs, which will help you lose weight.
But some people may feel hungrier while using Xenical as less fat is absorbed. So while Xenical doesn’t directly reduce your appetite, it may indirectly affect it.
Can I get Xenical through private health insurance?
Answer:
You might get Xenical through private health insurance, but it's best to contact your insurance provider to check that they cover it. If they don't, you can still get Xenical with us, but you’ll have to cover the cost yourself.
How long does Xenical take to work?
Answer:
This depends on many factors, but we’ll be able to monitor how it’s working for you and suggest any changes if they’re needed. If you’ve lost 5% of your weight within a three month period, there’s no threshold for how long Xenical will be prescribed for.
If you continue to lose weight beyond six months, our clinician may recommend that you keep taking Xenical. This may be for up to one or two years, or longer still if you have a significant amount of weight to lose.
Xenical or Orlistat: what’s the difference?
Answer:
Xenical is the brand-name treatment, so it’s more well known than Orlistat. Orlistat, as is usually the case with generic treatments, is a bit cheaper. The appearance of the capsules and the packaging they come in may differ too.
But otherwise, both treatments contain the same active ingredient (orlistat) and work in very much the same way in the body.
What should I do if Xenical doesn’t work?
Answer:
Let us know. We can advise you on alternative weight loss treatments if Xenical isn’t effective for you.
It may be that making further changes to your diet and exercising on a regular basis may help. Our clinician may recommend that you keep a food diary and an activity diary for exercise to help them monitor your eating habits properly. Once our clinician has got this information to hand, they can help you to implement adjustments to your lifestyle and to create an action plan.
Is Xenical safe to use?
Answer:
For most people, Xenical is perfectly safe to use, [1] but it’s not suitable for everyone.
Losing weight can impact treatment doses for conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol. If you’re using these medicines, it’s very important that you let us know.
If you’re on the birth control pill, it’s advisable to use additional contraception like condoms if you’re taking Xenical, as it can trigger severe diarrhea. This may compromise the effectiveness of oral contraception.
Xenical is not suitable for children.
Can I buy Xenical over the counter?
Answer:
Xenical is a prescription-only treatment, so you’ll need to have a consultation with a clinician so they can assess if it’s suitable for you to use.
Alli is the only FDA-approved over-the-counter medication for weight loss.
Xenical vs Alli: which is better?
Answer:
Both treatments contain the same active ingredient, orlistat, and work in the same way. Alli stops about one quarter of the fat that you consume from being digested, whereas Xenical prevents around one third of the fat from being absorbed by the body. Alli also contains half the dosage of Xenical (60mg, as opposed to 120mg), which is why it removes less fat from the body.
Given that both treatments work in the same way and contain the same active ingredient, it’s really a matter of personal preference in terms of which one is best for you. We can advise you further on both options, and help you to make an informed decision.
Our experts continually monitor new findings in health and medicine, and we update our articles when new info becomes available.
Why this page was updated on Oct 14, 2024
Content checked and updated as part of our 3-yearly periodic review, to ensure accuracy and currentness.
Current version (Oct 14, 2024)
Edited by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Ms Laurenmarie Cormier, Clinical Content Reviewer
Aug 01, 2022
Published by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Ms Laurenmarie Cormier, Clinical Content Reviewer
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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Users report mixed results with Xenical. Many find it effective for weight loss, often when used with diet and exercise, though some note the progress is slow. Conversely, a notable number of users experienced no weight loss at all. The most frequently mentioned side effects are digestive, including upset stomach and an urgent need to use the toilet. Some users, however, reported having no side effects.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Ms Laurenmarie Cormier
Clinical Content Reviewer
Laurenmarie is a Nurse Practitioner based in the US. She worked with Treated as a prescriber and reviewed some of the content you see on the site.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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