Orlistat 

Form: Oral Capsule: Available as 60mg (OTC) or 120mg (POM)

Mode of Action: Acts by reversibly inhibiting gastric and pancreatic lipases, reducing the absorption of dietary fat.

When administered with fat-containing foods, it  partially inhibits hydrolysis of triglycerides, thus reducing the subsequent absorption of monoaclglycerides and free fatty acids. This reduction in fat absorption results in excess fat being excreted.

Dose: One capsule. Three times a day. Taken immediately before, during or up to one hour after each main meal.

Side effects: Adverse reactions are largely gastrointestinal in nature and include: abdominal pain/discomfort, oily spotting from the rectum, faecal urgency, fatty/oily stools and flatulence.

Notes: Treatment should be discontinued after 12 weeks if customer has been unable to lose at least 5 % of the body weight as measured at the start of therapy.

Orlistat is available on the NHS - Patients with BMI ≥30kg/m2 or BMI ≥27kg/m2 with associated risk factors. Medical information on Orlistat can be found at the attached link. EMC Orlistat Alli