Alli available to buy from your pharmacy

Alli Orlistat is a new weight loss medication which can be supplied following a short consultation with a pharmacist to establish whether the medication is suitable for you. Unlike Xenical Orlistat, Alli does not require a doctor's prescription. Pharmacists should weigh and measure all patients and ask them a series of medical questions. As with all medications Alli is not suitable for everyone.

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Xenical

Who can take Alli?

Alli is different to other weight loss drugs as it does not affect your mind or your metabolism. Alli Orlistat is a unique medicine and works by attaching itself to enzymes in the pancreas and stomach which break down fat. By preventing your body from breaking down fats into digestible pieces Alli stops your body from using fats in your diet as a source of energy and prevents your body from storing fats in your diet for later use. Undigested fats which cannot be absorbed and used by the body are simply passed through the intestine.
The active ingredient Orlistat has been prescribed by doctors in a 120mg dose under the brand name, Xenical, since 1999. Alli is, therefore, a lower dose version of a real medicine with proven weight loss effects and does not require a doctor’s prescription. Instead Alli can be provided by your pharmacist over-the-counter following a face-to-face consultation.

How do I get Alli?

Alli Orlistat is currently the only over the counter pharmacy medicine clinically proven to help adults with BMI 28 or more lose weight. Alli helps you to lose 50% more weight than dieting alone and has become a huge success with dieters since its launch. Getting Alli from your local pharmacy should be very straightforward and involves a consultation with your pharmacist. Your pharmacist will ask you a series of medical questions, and will measure your height and weight. Alli is the lower 60mg dose version of the prescription medication Xenical. Alli is a safe enough drug to be prescribed by a pharmacist, but is not suitable for everyone. Pharmacists must follow the pharmacy “Code of Ethics” and Royal Pharmaceutical Society GB advice when supplying OTC medicines like Orlistat 60mg.

Points for the pharmacist to consider when prescribing Alli Orlistat:

Supply only to adults over the age of 18 – Alli has not been trialled in patients under the age of 18 and should not under any circumstances be used in children. Children with weight related problems should visit their GP and ask for a referral to a specialist.

BMI ≥ 28 – this medications is only licensed for use in patients of BMI 28 or more. Your pharmacist must weigh and measure your height every time they prescribe you Alli to make sure you fall within correct BMI range for prescription.

Calibrate scales – pharmacists should make sure the scales they use correctly display weight values providing a reliable reading.

Dosing instructions – pharmacists should advise patients on how to correctly take Alli Orlistat as per the manufacturer’s instructions and bearing in mind any special requirements the patient may have. Patients should take one 60mg capsule with every meal containing fats and omit the dose if they skip a meal or eat foods with absolutely no fat content. Patients should under no circumstances take more than the recommended dose.

Moderation of fat intake – Alli tablets should be used along with a reduced calorie, lower-fat diet. Patient should to start this diet before beginning treatment. Pharmacists may wish to recommend the patient purchases the Alli Diet Plan book for help with eating the right foods when on the medications so as to maximise the weight loss potential of the medications and prevent the risk of any associated side effects. Side effects: the most troublesome side effects of Alli are gastrointestinal: flatulence, leakage of oily material and faecal urgency. When prescribing these capsules it is important to advise the patient of potential side effects and offer materials and advice to help the patient manage the side effects.

How to take Allil Orlistat:

Take one tablet whole preferably with food – you can also take a tablet up to 1 hour before and after your meal. If you forget to take your tablet, omit the dose, and take the following dose as normal with your next meal.

Taking your capsules this way means you should have one with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make sure your meals are balanced, low in fat and that your daily allowance is between 1200-1500 calories. If your meal contains no fat, do not take a capsule. A low fat diet is highly recommended whilst taking Alli. If you eat a high fat meal you may experience side effects.

Do not take more than 3 tablets a day – swallow the capsule with water. Never increase your dose to above the recommended amount.

As this medication can decrease the body’s ability to naturally absorb some vitamins and minerals, it is advised that you take a multivitamin tablet to maintain normal levels of vitamin A, D, E and K. Take the multivitamin several hours after your last does of Alli, preferably before bed,