Can you get Orlistat from your GP?

Finding the right solution for weight loss can feel overwhelming. With so many diets, exercise regimes, supplements, and medications available to treat weight loss, it’s easy to feel lost!

Orlistat, a popular weight loss tablet, has been shown to help people lose weight when combined with a healthy lifestyle. But how do you get these weight loss capsules? Can you get Orlistat from your GP? Do you need a private prescription? Or is buying weight loss pills online a better option?

In this article, we’ll explore the criteria for getting Orlistat on the NHS, your options if you don’t qualify, and how Oxford Online Pharmacy offers affordable, convenient alternatives for those seeking weight loss treatments, including other medications like Semaglutide and Mounjaro.

Can you get Orlistat on the NHS?

Yes, Orlistat is available on the NHS, but not everyone qualifies (1). Your doctor will only prescribe these weight loss capsules if they think they are the right option for you.

Your NHS doctor will only consider you for Orlistat weight loss tablets if you:

1. Are classified as obese

NHS doctors only consider medical weight loss treatment for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, classifying them as obese (2)(3). Alternatively, your GP might consider prescribing for you if your BMI is 28 or higher and you have other health conditions related to weight (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol) (4).

2. Are an adult over the age of 18

Orlistat is typically not recommended for children or teens who need to lose weight. However, in rare cases, a doctor may prescribe for children over 12 if they have complications related to obesity (1). Any use in younger patients must come with strict medical oversight to ensure the treatment is safe and effective (2).

3. Have tried losing weight through diet and exercise

NICE states that losing weight with drugs should only be considered “after dietary, exercise, and behavioural approaches have been started” (2). Your GP will likely recommend various weight loss programs and see if they can help before prescribing Orlistat.

If your doctor does prescribe a medicine, the NHS requires you to continue actively trying to lose weight by eating a balanced, calorie-controlled diet and engaging in regular physical activity. The best results from Orlistat are seen when prescribed as part of a larger weight loss program, so it isn’t considered a standalone weight loss solution.

4. Don’t have certain health conditions

Not everyone is a good candidate for this treatment, especially if you have certain underlying health conditions. Your NHS doctor will not prescribe Orlistat if you have chronic malabsorption syndrome or liver conditions like cholestasis, as it can cause complications (3). It may also be best to avoid any weight loss treatment if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have kidney disease (3)(5).

5. Are not taking other specific medications

Orlistat can affect the absorption of certain medications, including blood thinners, anti-seizure drugs, oral contraceptives, and some drugs used to treat HIV (3)(6). If these drugs cannot be absorbed properly, they become ineffective, which could put your health at risk.

If you take any of these drugs, just let your doctor know. Your GP may still prescribe Orlistat, but you will likely have to take these tablets separately from your other medications. This will help to avoid absorption issues, ensuring all your medications work as they should. Alternatively, your doctor may recommend other weight loss treatments.

6. Have lost weight while taking Orlistat

Orlistat isn't a permanent prescription. The NHS evaluates whether the medication works by tracking your weight loss progress. You’ll need to lose at least 5% of your body weight within the first three months of using Orlistat (1)(2). If you don’t hit that mark, your doctor may discontinue your NHS prescription, even if you feel the medication has helped kickstart your weight loss.

Can you buy Orlistat weight loss pills privately?

Although Orlistat can be an effective tool for weight loss, getting it on the NHS can be a lengthy process. Your GP will require you to try lifestyle changes before considering weight loss medication, meaning you could be waiting several months.

If you want a quicker route, you can request Orlistat privately. You don’t necessarily need to go through private health insurance or visit a private doctor to get it; buying Orlistat online with a registered pharmacy is a convenient option.

At Oxford Online Pharmacy, we offer prescription-strength Orlistat 120mg through our independent online doctor service. These weight loss pills are identical to those you will receive on prescription through the NHS, sold as generic Orlistat or under the brand name Xenical—only without the wait time and with convenient delivery to your front door.

Here are the steps for getting an Orlistat prescription using our online service:

• Complete an online consultation: Head to our weight loss tablets page and click “Start your consultation.” Complete the questions, providing information like your height, weight, health conditions, and other factors our doctors need to consider before prescribing Orlistat.
• Choose your weight loss medication: For prescription strength Orlistat, you can choose between generic Orlistat 120mg pills (slightly cheaper) or Xenical capsules. Select your preferred option and continue your online purchase.
• Doctor approval and medication delivery: Our doctors will review the information you’ve provided, check your BMI, and decide whether weight loss pills are suitable for you. If your prescription is approved, we will deliver your treatment directly to your door.

Can you buy Orlistat without a prescription?

If you don’t qualify for an Orlistat prescription through your NHS doctor or privately, you can buy Orlistat over the counter without a prescription. Over-the-counter Orlistat tablets are available under the brand names Alli and Orlos.

Both Alli and Orlos contain a 60mg dose, which is half the strength of prescription-based pills. Does Orlistat work at this lower dose? Yes! Over-the-counter Orlistat only blocks the absorption of around 25% of the fat you eat (7), compared to the 30% of fat absorption blocked by 120mg Orlistat pills (1), but it can still help people lose weight effectively.

Just because 60mg Orlistat doesn’t require a prescription from your GP, it doesn’t mean it’s available to anyone. You will need to answer a few questions for our pharmacist, who will help you decide whether it could be the right weight loss tool for you. You can do this in person at your local pharmacy or through registered online pharmacies like ours.

Is it safe to buy Orlistat weight loss tablets online?

It is safe to buy Orlistat online, but only from pharmacies regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council. When ordering from regulated sites, all medications are dispensed by registered pharmacists and delivered to your door—giving you peace of mind that you're getting safe, effective treatment.

However, many registered online pharmacies only offer over-the-counter Orlistat (Alli or Orlos). Oxford Online Pharmacy can also prescribe Orlistat 120mg online, as our team includes independent doctors. This collaboration between pharmacists and doctors adds an extra layer of safety. Through our online service, you essentially get doctor-approved advice without needing to visit your GP.

Importantly, some websites may offer to sell Orlistat without requiring you to complete a health questionnaire or remote consultation. It’s important to steer clear of these websites—not only may you potentially start taking a medication that isn’t right for you, but the drug might be counterfeit or unsafe.

What other weight loss drugs are available?

Orlistat isn’t the only weight loss medication available. If Orlistat isn’t the right choice for you, weight loss drugs like Wegovy (semaglutide) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide) may be suitable via prescription.

These medications are weight loss injections rather than weight loss tablets. They work differently from Orlistat, reducing appetite and feelings of hunger instead of blocking fat absorption (8). As such, they often suit people with different health profiles, weight loss challenges, or preferences. If you don’t qualify for prescription Orlistat, you may still meet the criteria for these drugs.

Like Orlistat, Wegovy and Mounjaro are available through Oxford Online Pharmacy. Visit our page on weight loss medications to view all your options and start your consultation with us today.

References

1. National Health Service. Treatment - Obesity [Internet]. NHS. NHS; 2023.
2. NICE. Recommendations | Obesity: identification, assessment and management | Guidance | NICE [Internet]. www.nice.org.uk. 2014.
3. NHS. Obesity [Internet]. NHS. 2023.
4. BNF. Drugs - Orlistat [Internet]. NICE. ‌
5. Sombra LRS, Anastasopoulou C. Pharmacologic Therapy For Obesity [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
6. Filippatos TD, Derdemezis CS, Gazi IF, Nakou ES, Mikhailidis DP, Elisaf MS. Orlistat-associated adverse effects and drug interactions: a critical review. Drug Safety [Internet]. 2008;31(1):53–65.
7. Anderson JW. Orlistat for the management of overweight individuals and obesity: a review of potential for the 60-mg, over-the-counter dosage. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy [Internet]. 2007 Aug 1;8(11):1733–42.
8. Ard J, Fitch A, Fruh S, Herman L. Weight Loss and Maintenance Related to the Mechanism of Action of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists. Advances in Therapy. 2021 May 11;38(6):2821–39.