Best tablets for weight loss

According to a recent study, around 25.9% of adults in England are obese, and 37.9% are overweight. 1 Many people with overweight or obesity find it difficult to lose weight and keep it off.

The growing popularity of weight loss pills, especially on social media, means that many people are now interested in taking tablets to lose weight.

In this article, we want to provide you with more information about the best tablets for weight loss and how they work to help you make the healthiest decision.

Best tablets for weight loss

There are many different pills for weight loss available in the UK. It is incredibly important that you speak to a doctor or healthcare provider before taking any medicine, even more so if it is a prescription medicine.

Some treatments regarded as the best tablets for weight loss include:

Orlistat

Orlistat is one of the most popular weight loss tablets. It belongs to a group of medicines called lipase inhibitors, which help you lose weight by stopping your body from breaking down fat.

Orlistat does this by blocking the action of an enzyme called lipase. This means that you absorb 30% less fat from your diet, often resulting in weight loss.2

Dosage: 120mg

Frequency: Orlistat should be taken three times daily

Price: Starting from £34.98. (84 tablets)

Prescription Required: Yes

Mysimba

Mysimba capsules contain two kinds of medicine, bupropion and naltrexone.

These are both known for facilitating healthy, sustainable weight loss by reducing appetite and cravings. This makes it easier to follow a healthy diet or stick to a calorie deficit.

Dosage: 8mg/90 mg

Frequency: As directed by doctor/clinician

Price: Starting from £109.98 (112 tablets)

Prescription Required: Yes

Xenical

Xenical is the branded version of Orlistat, the lipase inhibitor. This means it reduces and prevents the absorption of fat from your food, resulting in weight loss.

Dosage:  120mg

Frequency: Xenical should be taken three times daily

Price: Starting from £29.99 (42 Capsules)

Prescription Required: Yes

Orlos

Orlos is a lower-strength version of Orlistat, the lipase inhibitor. In addition to supporting weight loss, studies have found that Orlos can “reduce cholesterol and blood pressure levels and improve glycemic control.” 3 Orlos is half the strength of the prescription-only medicine Orlisat.

Dosage: 60mg

Frequency: Orlos should be taken three times daily

Price: Starting from £18.98 (84 Capsules)

Prescription Required: No

Alli

Alli is the branded version of Orlos and also works by preventing the absorption of fat. While it has a different name, Alli also contains the active ingredient orlistat.

Dosage: 60mg

Frequency: Alli should be taken three times daily

Price: Starting from £39.98 (84 Capsules)

Prescription Required: No

Do weight loss pills actually work?

Each of the weight loss pills available at Oxford Online Pharmacy has undergone significant clinical testing and are proven to help healthy, sustainable weight loss for people who use them.

The best results are achieved by people who also make lifestyle changes alongside taking a weight loss medicine. These include:

• Following a healthy, balanced diet
• Exercising more often
• Increasing their water intake
• Improving sleeping patterns
• Reducing alcohol intake

For example, one study found that when combined with the behaviour changes listed above, people using Orlistat report significantly more weight loss and improvements in lipid profile, glucose control and blood pressure compared to users given a placebo during the course of the study. 4

Who can take weight loss pills?

You must consult with a doctor or healthcare professional before taking weight loss pills.

This means that you can be matched with the best slimming tablets for you based on your needs, lifestyle and any pre-existing health conditions. This should also help to reduce any negative side effects associated with slimming tablets.

In the UK, Orlistat is offered to patients who have:

• A BMI higher than 30, or
• A BMI higher than 28 and other weight-related conditions, like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. 5

It is not offered to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Mysimba is also offered to people who have a BMI higher than 30 (obese).

People with a BMI higher than 27 (overweight) could be prescribed Mysimba if they are also dealing with weight-related health complications.

Again, Mysimba is not suitable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Other weight loss treatments

While the tablets are among some of the best weight loss products UK, they are not the only type of weight loss treatment we offer. You could also look into weight loss injections, like Wegovy or Mounjaro.

Wegovy are weekly self-injections, and is shown to facilitate considerable weight loss among users. This is because it contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which can increase feelings of fullness and prevent cravings. Mounjaro works in the same way and has been shown to help people lose more weight than Wegovy. Mounjaro contains the active ingredient, tirzepatide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most successful weight loss pill?

As mentioned, the products available through our online pharmacy are among the best weight loss products UK. The best weight loss results are achieved by people who are also willing to make lifestyle changes, the most successful weight loss pills tend to be Orlistat and Mysimba.

How can I lose weight quickly and easily?

While you may be keen to lose weight as quickly as possible, it's important to remember this is not something that happens overnight.

In the same way it takes time to gain weight, it can take a while to lose it, especially if you are dealing with obesity and additional health complications.

Weight loss medication can speed up the process of losing weight, especially if you are not as active as you’d like or find it hard to resist cravings or control your appetite.

Again, it is important to note that the best results (i.e., the most significant weight loss) are achieved by those who make significant lifestyle and behavioural changes alongside taking losing weight pills. This means that they are taking better care of their body and are less likely to regain weight once the course of treatment is complete.

What pill is best for belly fat?

When it comes to losing weight, you cannot target a specific region of your body. When you start to lose weight, you’ll probably notice a difference in your overall body shape, instead of losing weight from a single area.

When it comes to losing fat (including belly fat), Orlistat and Mysimba are among the top-rated weight loss pills. This is because Orlistat can help reduce the amount of fat absorbed from food, meaning that the body’s fat reserves begin to be burned during exercise or day-to-day activities. This, over time, can result in a loss of fat around the stomach and abdomen.

Alternatively, Mysimba can help reduce belly fat by helping individuals maintain a calorie deficit or reduce their daily calorie intake. This is because it works as an appetite suppressant, meaning you feel fuller for longer.

What is the fastest pill to lose weight?

The rate at which you will lose weight when taking fast weight-loss pills will vary depending on your current weight, your ability to take medication as prescribed and any changes you make to your lifestyle. For example, you are less likely to lose weight quickly if you do not combine your slimming pills with an increase in exercise, whether that be going to the gym or just trying to increase your daily steps.

What are the side effects of weight loss pills?

Any medicine may cause side effects. Being aware of the common side effects before starting treatment means you’re better prepared and can seek help and support if needed.

Side effects are different based on which of the diet pills you choose to take. The most common side effects for Orlistat (or medications in which this is the active ingredient) include:

• Oily or fatty stools
• Oily discharge or liquid stools
• Headaches/migraines
• Flatulence
• Stomach ache/abdominal discomfort

The most common side effects of Mysimba include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Headaches/migraines
• Dry mouth
• Trouble sleeping or insomnia

References

1. Baker, C. (2023) Obesity Statistics, House of Commons Library, 1(3336).
2. Drew, B.S., Dixon, A.F. and Dixon, J.B. (2007) Obesity management: Update on orlistat, Vascular Health and Risk Management, 3(6), pp. 817–821.
3. Hollywood, A. and Ogden, J. (2011) Taking Orlistat: Predicting Weight Loss over 6 Months, Journal of Obesity, 2011, pp. 1–7.
4. Heck, A.M., Yanovski, J.A. and Calis, K.A. (2000). Orlistat, a New Lipase Inhibitor for the Management of Obesity. Pharmacotherapy, [online] 20(3), pp.270–279.
5. nhs.uk. (2017). Obesity - Treatment. [online]