One of the most effective weight loss pills on the market today is Orlistat. The drug is released in a recent study to be safe by the Food and Drug Administration, but there are some side effects that you should be aware of prior to taking this medication.
Headaches, nauseas, gas, bloating or diarrhea. These digestive symptoms occur in about 1 in 5 people taking this drug, and usually disappear after a few weeks. If they don’t go away, tell your doctor because you might need to stop taking orlistat.
If you’re considering buying the drug Orlistat, you may be wondering about the side effects. This is a list of the most common side effects that have been reported by users of the orlistat.
Related Reading
Does Orlistat Burn Existing Fat?
Can You Take Orlistat When Doing The Ketogenic Diet
15 Side Effects of Orlistat
Some people who take orlistat experience mild side effects that go away within a few weeks of discontinuing use of the drug.
The most common side effects of orlistat include:
1) Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common side effect that occurs when too much fat enters your colon too quickly and can’t be broken down by bacteria in your gut. Again, sticking with small meals with lots of fiber can help prevent this.
2) Urgent Bowel Movements (Also Called Bowel Urgency)
You may have more than one bowel movement per day, and your stools may be loose and look clay colored. This is normal with orlistat, but you should expect this symptom to disappear after you’ve been taking it for several weeks.
3) Clay-Colored Stools
Orlistat can turn your stool a light brown or gray color. This is normal and nothing to be concerned about. However, if you notice pain or bleeding in your rectum, call your doctor right away because it may be a sign of an underlying problem.
4) Stomach Pain
Stomach pain is another common side effect associated with taking orlistat. The pain happens when the drug blocks some enzymes that help break down food so that some fat passes through the digestive system. This is why some people experience gas and bloating.
5) Weakness
Some people using orlistat feel weak or tired, especially toward the end of the day (this effect usually goes away after several weeks). If you have this symptom, tell your doctor right away so you can rule out any other explanations like anemia (a lack of healthy red blood cells).
6) Dark Urine
This is normal, but if you notice that your urine has a strong odor, it’s a sign of dehydration. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
7) Itching
Orlistat can cause itching, especially around the anal area. This is a common side effect and usually goes away after a few weeks.
8) Weight Loss
If you’re taking orlistat with a low-calorie diet, it’s possible that you’ll lose too much weight too quickly, which could lead to malnutrition and other problems. The most effective way for people to take orlistat involves eating three meals a day and monitoring their calorie intake carefully.
9) Loss of Appetite
Some people using orlistat may have less appetite than usual, but this will not cause weight loss unless you eat less food than normal and burn more calories through exercise than you would without the medication.
10) Headaches
Orlistat can cause headaches as a result of dehydration or low blood pressure. If you experience headaches while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
11) Heartburn and Acid Reflux
This occurs because some of the fat that would normally be digested by enzymes in your small intestine passes through to your large intestine and gets digested there instead. This may cause an increase in stomach acid production.
12) Voice Loss
Some people who take orlistat may experience hoarseness or a change in their voice for up to six months after stopping treatment. Orlistat can cause changes in your voice if you take it while you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
GERD occurs when stomach acids back up into your esophagus, causing pain and discomfort in the chest area (heartburn). More so, GERD often causes an uncomfortable feeling like having something stuck in your throat, which can lead to difficulty swallowing food properly. In addition, GERD can cause chronic coughs due to irritation in the throat area from acid refluxed
13) Skin Rash
In rare cases, a person who takes orlistat may develop a skin rash due to contact with the oil that is discharged from their body. The rash usually resolves itself after discontinuing use of orlistat and no other treatment is required.
14) Ear Congestion
Orlistat may cause ear congestion, which is a build-up of fluid in the middle ear and other parts of the ear. This can be caused by excess production of earwax or by a bacterial or fungal infection.
Some people who have taken orlistat have reported that they had ear pain or congestion, which was relieved by removing orlistat from their diet.
15) Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion is a common side effect of orlistat because it affects how much water you retain in your body. It also causes dehydration because it makes you lose more fluid than usual through your bowel movements and through sweating due to increased physical activity while on the drug.
The nasal congestion caused by this drug can be treated with Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen). You can also try using a nasal decongestant spray or oral antihistamine like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to help clear up your sinuses.
How Long Do Orlistat Side Effects Last?
People experience more serious side effects that last longer and can be more dangerous-especially when combined with other medications or medical conditions.
You can expect side effects from orlistat to last no more than a month.
Who Should Not Take Orlistat?
Do not take orlistat if you:
- Are Under 18
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding (see Orlistat and Pregnancy and Orlistat and Breastfeeding sections)
- Have been diagnosed with a rare inherited metabolic disorder called homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
- Have ever had an eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa, which involve bingeing on food followed by purging through vomiting or laxative abuse.
- Have kidney disease, liver disease or gallbladder problems that cause your body to retain fluids (ascites). Orlistat may cause fluid retention and worsen these conditions in people with these medical issues.
- Are taking prescription drugs containing rilpivirine (Edurant) or nevirapine (Viramune). Orlistat can affect how these drugs work.
How Do I Know Orlistat Is Working?
If you are taking orlistat to help you lose weight, it is important to know how well it is working for you. You can check your progress by weighing yourself every two weeks so that you know if you have lost weight or not. You should also monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels periodically to make sure they are within normal ranges while using orlistat.
Conclusion
The takeaway here is that even a fat burner like Orlistat can have side effects, and you should always be careful when trying any kind of weight loss supplement.
SOURCES
What is Xenical and how is it used?
https://www.rxlist.com/xenical-drug.htm
ALLI SIDE EFFECTS CENTER
https://www.rxlist.com/alli-side-effects-drug-center.htm
Orlistat 120 Mg Capsule Fat Absorption Decreasing Agents – Uses, Side Effects, and More
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-17220/orlistat-oral/details
orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
https://www.medicinenet.com/orlistat/article.htm
Orlistat (Oral Route)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/orlistat-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20065184?p=1
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