You can buy Orlistat (Xenical/Alli) as an over-the-counter alternative to Wegovy in the UK.
However, Orlistat is a very different type of weight-loss medication, and research suggests it’s not as effective as Wegovy in supporting weight loss.
Wegovy and Orlistat are weight-loss medications approved for use in the UK. However, they are different medications with distinct dosing schedules, costs, and mechanisms of action on the body.
Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor. Lipases are gut enzymes that break down fat from food, enabling the gut to transport fat into the body to be burnt for energy or stored in our fat cells for later use.
Orlistat blocks lipases, preventing some of the dietary fat from our meals from being digested. This leads to fewer calories being absorbed, which can support weight loss.
Orlistat is a prescription medication produced by two pharmaceutical companies in the UK:
Wegovy is a weight-loss jab manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It’s a weekly weight-loss injection with semaglutide as the active ingredient.
Semaglutide is a that helps reduce hunger and appetite, allowing you to eat fewer calories, lose weight, and manage your blood sugar levels.
Wegovy is approved in the UK for individuals living with obesity to help them eat fewer calories and lose weight.
The over-the-counter version of Orlistat will cost around £18 a month, so it’s a very affordable medication.
In comparison, buying Wegovy and the injectable pens required for four weeks from Second Nature will cost £229 a month, rising to £299.
Orlistat is an affordable medication that is generally well-tolerated. However, it’s less effective than Wegovy. Wegovy is twice as effective as Orlistat for weight loss after one year.
So, if you’re looking for the most affordable weight-loss pill you can purchase over the counter, then Orlistat could be an option.
However, if you have a higher budget and are looking for the most effective weight-loss injection in the UK, semaglutide is a better choice.
Semaglutide is designed as an additional tool for weight management and, in most cases, shouldn’t be considered a lifelong medication.
Instead, it should be used to help you kickstart your weight loss and healthy journey while you commit to living a healthier lifestyle.
Ideally, we’d be able to lose weight without medication and lifestyle changes would be enough to support weight loss in the long term.
We’d generally recommend trying Second Nature’s before considering a weight-loss jab.
Changing your habits is the most sustainable way to achieve long-term weight loss, and it’s also less expensive.
At Second Nature, we’ve been trusted by the NHS since 2017 to support people with type 2 diabetes and obesity to lose weight, manage their blood sugar levels, and lead healthier lifestyles for the long term.
In 2022, the NHS in the BMJ that compared the weight loss outcomes of five providers in the National Diabetes Prevention Programme.
Second Nature was more than twice as effective at supporting weight loss than the other four providers.
However, if you’ve decided to try semaglutide (when it’s available) but need support in making positive changes to your lifestyle, Second Nature could be an option for you. But it’s worth noting that we have strict eligibility criteria.
Second Nature has now switched its focus to offering it over the counter after two years on-label.You may have seen its product information, including aavascript downloads, shown on Second Nature’s website.
A study found that women who take Xenical, a medication used to treat obesity, had an increased risk of developing a type of cancer.
A of the three study's findings came from an observational study in the United States of America, which involved 547 women who were in the early stages of cancer diagnosis, who were treated with a combination of the medication, Xenical, and an experimental treatment known as Letrozole.
Xenical was taken by the women who were diagnosed with breast cancer about 18 years ago, the research showed.
In the study, researchers analyzed data from the five-year follow-up of these women, which tracked their health for three years.
The women were prescribed Xenical and took it for one year.
"The results show that women who take Xenical had an increased risk of developing a type of cancer," said lead study author Dr. Steven Nissen, a professor of medicine at Northwestern University and director of the Cancer Research Program at Northwestern University School of Medicine.
Nissen said the study was funded by the National Cancer Institute, which was the drug's manufacturer.
Xenical, used as a treatment for type 1 and 2 cancers, is the drug that's been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of cancer in other cancers.
It blocks the body's production of a hormone called lipase, which is found in the body's intestines. The enzyme lowers the amount of fat absorbed from the food eaten, and is believed to prevent some types of cancers from recurring.
Xenical is available in three doses: 30mg, 60mg, and 100mg. Each dose is taken once a day. Nissen said women who take Xenical should exercise and eat at least 30 minutes of exercise per week for at least three months.
"When you're starting to see a patient that's not getting any better, it's just not good enough," he said.
Nissen said Xenical is not recommended for women who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding, and should not be taken during pregnancy.
"It's not the best choice for women who are trying to get pregnant," he said.
"If you have a history of breast cancer, you should be on the list of those who are going to start taking Xenical."
Nissen said Xenical is also not recommended for women who are breastfeeding.
Nissen said Xenical should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, and should not be taken by women who are pregnant.
"It's a little more complicated than that," he said.
The study, which was based on data from the five-year follow-up, found women who were taking Xenical had an increased risk of breast cancer, compared with women who were not taking the medication.
"The women who had breast cancer and took Xenical had an increased risk of a type of cancer compared with those who were not taking the medication," Nissen said.
The researchers analyzed data from five studies, which took place over a three-year period. They analyzed data from the five studies in the United States, Japan, Canada, China, and Australia.
They compared the risk of breast cancer among women who took Xenical with the risk of breast cancer among women who took the medication.
They said the researchers concluded that the risk of breast cancer among women taking Xenical was increased.
"Women who took Xenical had an increased risk of breast cancer compared with women who did not take Xenical," Nissen said.
The study authors wrote that women who took Xenical had an increased risk of endometrial cancer, which is a type of cancer that can affect the uterus and ovaries. The researchers added that women who took Xenical had an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
"The increased risk of endometrial cancer in women taking Xenical is consistent with the increased risk of endometrial cancer associated with the use of Xenical," they wrote.
In their review, Nissen said the study was not designed to investigate the connection between Xenical and breast cancer.
"The research team was unable to determine whether the increased risk of endometrial cancer is due to the Xenical medication or to other factors," he said.
The study authors said the study did not determine whether Xenical was more effective or safer than the existing treatment.
Xenical (orlistat) is an innovative weight loss medication that aids individuals in managing obesity by inhibiting the absorption of dietary fats in the intestine. Obesity is a significant health concern that increases the risk of various conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Xenical offers a unique approach to weight management by preventing the breakdown and absorption of about 30% of the fat consumed in a meal, which is then excreted from the body. This reduction in fat absorption helps lower overall caloric intake, making it easier for individuals to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. When combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, Xenical can significantly improve weight loss outcomes and reduce obesity-related health risks. It is a valuable tool for those struggling with weight management, providing support and efficacy in achieving long-term weight loss goals.
Benefits of Xenical:
Dosage:
Warnings and Precautions:
Usage Instructions:
Storage Information:
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FAQs:
Can I take Xenical every day?
No, Xenical is not recommended while you are taking or plan to take other medications. Consult with a doctor before taking it.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Xenical?
Consult your healthcare provider for guidance on avoiding alcohol while taking Xenical.
Can Xenical delay conception?
Consult your healthcare provider before taking Xenical if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Can I take it with my medications?
Can I take it with food?
I have a eating plan that I'm considering stopping. We all want the most good results when it's time to quit eating. We all want the best from our life. We want it the most. We all want what we can get. We want to be healthy. We want to be satisfied. We want to be happy. We want to be normal.Sold and Supplied by Healthylife Pharmacy
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