You should not take orlistat if you:

Are allergic or have a known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient (orlistat) or any of its excipients (see patient information leaflet for full list of excipients)

• Pregnant or breastfeeding

• Suffer from chronic malabsorption syndrome

• Suffer from a condition known as 'cholestasis'

If you have any concerns or are unsure, feel free to get in touch with us where one of our team will be more than happy to help.

One capsule of Orlistat is taken with water before during or upto one hour before each main meal, up to a maximum of three times daily. If you consume a meal containing no fat or if you miss a meal, then you shouldn't take the orlistat capsule.

Similarly, if you are knowingly consuming a meal high in fat you may wish to omit the dose as the side effects can be unpleasant.

As with all medications, Orlistat has the potential to cause certain side effects in a small number of patients.

The most common side effects experienced by patients who take orlistat are:

• Wind (with or without oily discharge)

• Oily discharge (as your body has reduced fat absorption, you will simply excrete it)

• An increase in bowel frequency

• Changes in stool consistence

Remember, orlistat reduces the amount of dietary fat which is absorbed - any dietary fat intake will then be excreted typically as an oily discharge.

If you are knowingly having a meal high in fat you may wish to omit your dose of orlistat to reduce the risk of experiencing this side effect.

Click here to access the patient information leaflet for more information.