Can you switch from weight loss injections to weight loss pills?
Oral weight loss pills & appetite control tablets that fit around your lifestyle.
Starting a weight loss journey is a big step, and we're here to help you find the right slimming pills to kickstart that process. Our weight loss tablets and capsules are a popular alternative for people who'd rather not self-inject, have experienced injection site reactions, or simply prefer the convenience of an oral weight loss medication.
Browse our range of MHRA-approved weight loss tablets and pills - including prescription options like Orlistat and the new Wegovy pill - backed by science and trusted by 30,000+ patients with 28,000+ five-star Trustpilot reviews.
Looking for injectable treatments instead? Explore our weight loss injections, including the popular Wegovy and Mounjaro jabs.
If you’re thinking about switching from weight loss injections to weight loss tablets, you can find everything you need to know in our switching guide.
Our range of weight loss tablets and capsules put you in control and can flexibly fit around your lifestyle. Choose from tablet or capsule options depending on what suits you best.
Mysimba | Xenical / Orlistat | Orlos / Alli | Wegovy Pill | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Active ingredient | Naltrexone / Bupropion | Orlistat (120mg) | Orlistat (60mg) | Semaglutide |
How does it work? | Suppresses appetite and makes you feel fuller for longer | Reduces fat absorption by up to 30% | Reduces fat absorption | Suppresses appetite, slows stomach emptying, makes you feel fuller for longer |
How do I take it? | Oral tablet | Oral capsule | Oral capsule | Oral tablet |
Dosing | Dosing varies from week to week. Refer to the patient leaflet for details | 3 times daily with meals. 1 capsule with each main meal | 3 times daily with meals. 1 capsule with each main meal | Once a day, in the morning, 30 minutes before food with a small amount of plain water (up to 120ml) |
Expected weight loss | More than 5% of starting body weight | More than 5% of starting body weight | Weight loss support | An average of 13.6% of starting body weight (over 64 weeks) |
Prescription required? | Yes | Yes | Orlos: No Alli: No | Yes |
Available? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Approved by MHRA, awaiting stock |
Oral weight loss treatments work in two key ways.
Reducing fat absorption (Orlistat-based treatments)
Weight loss tablet Orlistat (sold as Xenical, Alli, and Orlos) is a lipase inhibitor that works in the gut, rather than in the brain or bloodstream. Orlistat blocks the enzyme responsible for fat absorption, meaning roughly 25–30% of the fat you eat passes through your digestive tract and is excreted rather than absorbed as calories.
The three brands are essentially the same drug at different doses: Xenical is prescription-strength at 120mg, while Alli and Orlos are over-the-counter at 60mg.
Appetite suppression (Mysimba)
Mysimba works very differently from Orlistat. It functions in the brain to reduce appetite and suppress food cravings.
It's important to remember that adopting a healthier diet and lifestyle will also play a key role in the success of your weight loss journey. Our expert team will help guide you through each step, finding the right treatment plan for you.
Appetite suppression and slowed stomach emptying (Wegovy pill)
The Wegovy Pill contains Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works by slowing stomach emptying and increasing feelings of fullness, naturally curbing appetite. Together, these effects support sustainable, long-term weight management.
Oral weight loss treatments can also lead to several additional health improvements.
Improved cholesterol levels
Better blood sugar control
Reduced blood pressure
Decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (1,2)
These additional health benefits are most significant when weight loss medications are combined with sustainable lifestyle changes including a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
Weight loss tablets are designed for the long-term, but you should notice changes throughout your journey and in the early stages.
0 to 3 months The medication begins working inside your body as soon as you start taking it, even if you don't notice a difference straight away (1,2). Depending on which treatment you're on, this stage is about your body adjusting and your habits beginning to shift.
You might:
Start noticing changes in your appetite or how you think about food*
Become more mindful of what's on your plate
Build healthier routines around eating
3 to 6 months This is typically when your weight starts to reflect the work you've been putting in.
Seeing a change in your body weight
Feeling better in your clothes
Being more energised and active
6 to 12 months By now, your progress should feel more established, and the focus shifts towards keeping the weight off for the long term.
Feeling good about your weight loss progress
Seeing positive changes in your overall health
Planning for long-term weight loss maintenance
*Reduced hunger and cravings are associated with Mysimba. Orlistat works differently, by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from food.
Orlistat (Xenical 120mg, prescription-only)
To be eligible, you must be an adult with:
BMI of 30 or above, OR
BMI of 28 or above if you also have weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol
Alli (60mg, over-the-counter) and Orlos (60mg)
Adult aged 18 or over
BMI of 28 or above
These are sold by pharmacists rather than prescribed, so a pharmacist will assess suitability at the point of sale.
Mysimba (naltrexone/bupropion, prescription-only)
To be eligible, you must be an adult (18+) with:
BMI of 30 or above, OR
BMI of 27 or above if you also have at least one weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia (high cholesterol/triglycerides), or controlled hypertension
Wegovy Pill
To be eligible, you must be an adult (18+) with:
BMI of 30 or above, OR
BMI of 27 or above alongside a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes
Your eligibility will always be decided by your prescribing physician, it is not guaranteed from your BMI alone. Your prescriber will always take into consideration your unique circumstances, other health conditions and any contraindications.
Depending on your existing conditions and medicines the use of weight loss injections may not be suitable. Our prescribers will guide you as to whether it is safe to prescribe according to your medical history. You should always discuss your medical history with your prescriber.
Orlistat:
The NHS offers prescription for Orlistat. To be eligible on the NHS you generally need:
A BMI of 28 or more plus a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes
Or a BMI of 30 or more
It is generally only considered for patients who have already made a committed effort to lose weight through diet and exercise and other lifestyle changes. Treatment only continues after 3 months if weight loss of at least 5% of original body weight has been achieved in line with NICE guidelines (4).
Mysimba:
The NHS does not offer prescription for Mysimba which is only available through private prescription.
Wegovy tablets:
Even though the MHRA has approved Wegovy Tablets, they won’t be available on the NHS immediately. For the Wegovy Pill to be available on the NHS, they first need to be approved by NICE, this process has not begun yet. They will be first available on private prescription from online pharmacies like Oxford Online Pharmacy.
People often ask what the best tablets for weight loss are, but there really is no "best option". The effectiveness of weight loss medication varies from person to person. Some key factors that might impact which treatment works best for each individual are side effects, tolerability, other medical factors and lifestyle.
Some people find that they prefer the appetite suppression effect of Mysimba tablets, while others prefer the reduction of fat absorption that comes with Orlistat-based tablets and capsules.
You can discuss which option may be best for you by filling out our weight loss tablets online consultation.
While Orlistat-based tablets and Mysimba are the only weight loss tablets available to buy in the UK right now, there are others on the horizon.
The Wegovy pill has now been approved by the MHRA and is awaiting availability for purchase in the UK. This is expected to happen in July 2026.
Orforglipron (known as Foundayo in the US), supplied by Eli Lilly who produce well-known weight loss injection Mounjaro, is still pending MHRA approval. This is expected towards the end of this year.
Find peace of mind with our straightforward ordering process.
Our 3-step process makes ordering your weight loss treatment hassle-free and secure.
Complete a confidential online consultation and choose a preferred treatment
A doctor will review your consultation to make sure it’s right for you
If approved, we’ll dispense your treatment and send it via our tracked delivery service
Please note, sometimes we may need to contact you to confirm a few details before making a treatment decision.
Explore a range of helpful links to aid your weight loss journey.
Authored on May 12, 2026
Robert Bradshaw (Pharmacist) - MRPharms BSc(Hons) Pharmacy
Superintendent Pharmacist
GPhC Number: 2036118
Reviewed on May 12, 2026
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