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Original poster

Does anyone have any good experiences with orlistat (Xenicol)

38 replies

Ridgey40 · 10/06/2011 17:30

After many months/years of unsuccessful weight loss with diet and exercise my GP and I have decided to give orlistat (Xenicol) a go.

I know about the horrible poos etc but am struggling to find anyone with a positive experience of it.

Is there anyone out their who has done OK with it?

OP posts:
happymole · 10/06/2011 17:50

Yes me Smile

I lost just under 3 stone with them and have just gone back to them after a gap.

The side effects are evil. This sounds like a lie but is really the truth, I didn't fart for 16 months. I did find however, that it cured my IBS.

They are not for everyone though

Hope this Helps

Tigerbomb · 10/06/2011 17:52

Depends on what you mean "ok with it"

I lost a stone - that was ok

I lost it because I became too frightened to eat anything iyswim Grin

Original poster
Ridgey40 · 10/06/2011 18:22

Hmmm, well it is good to hear that you have both lost weight but the side effects really do sound as bad as they say.

How did your family feel about living with a farting pooing monster!?

Also, if I get the side effects badly but am out in company and know I really can't risk them is it quite short acting. I know that is not the ideal way to think about it but I am thinking that if I eat a sandwich whilst making a 4 hour drive I might not be able to deal with the consequences of taking an orlistat with the sandwich!

OP posts:
Tigerbomb · 10/06/2011 22:13

The side effects depend on what you have eaten. If you eat anything with fat content it means that you should either be wearing bright orange trousers or a nappy for the next couple of days.

I would hardly eat anything for a few days if I knew I was going anywhere. You have very little notice of a "poo explosion". You will fear to fart. Knickers on in bed was also a must.

BUT if you are serious and watch what you eat then it is great and it does work. I did feel though that it worked by threatening me rather than anything else Grin

Bearcat · 10/06/2011 22:45

Think it gave me the kick start I needed to lose 2.5 stone( had already lost a bit of weight) but as Tigerbomb said i think it scared me into not really eating any or as little fat as possible and I never had a problem.
Only bought about 4 weeks worth though I think.

Vajazzler · 11/06/2011 10:49

I have been prescribed this by my GP and its been great. Along with following the weightwatchers plan i have lost 9lb in 4 weeks(would have been more but i had a TOTM gain on week 2).

I was a bit 'windy' the first 2 weeks and my poo now is always a red/orange colour and the same distinctive smell. But i havent experienced the exploding oily poo i had previously read about. I think this is because it happens when you eat too much fat but i am desperate to actually lose weight so am eating a sensible diet.

Original poster
Ridgey40 · 11/06/2011 18:26

Well I am on day 2 and have not had any problems - but I agree I think I am terrified about eating any fat! But as long as the weight comes off then hopefully the fear factor will help.

Any ideas as to whether alcohol has fat in it - I know it has calories but does it have any fat?

OP posts:
Tigerbomb · 12/06/2011 21:00

I don't drink alcohol so I dont know, Im sorry

The other thing to remember is that Orlistat does not know the difference between "good" fat and "bad" fat. Fat is fat.

I still have two full packs of Orlistat prescribed by my Dr. When I am feeling brave I may try again

Good luck

Original poster
Ridgey40 · 13/06/2011 08:22

I found out - alcohol is fat free!

The weekend was fine, no unpleasant side effects at all, in fact I am a bit worried the orlistate is not working because I don't seem to have noticed anything at all!

OP posts:
2old2beamum · 14/06/2011 19:14

Daughter age 21 with Down Syndrome given Orlistat by cardiologist and lost over 3 stone in under a year. Did however have some yucky knickers but she a twigged it helpful to wear a S Towel when out. She is very proud of herself as she can by size 12 clothes. Good luck

tallulahxhunny · 28/06/2011 15:51

I have just been prescribed Orlistat.

I'm worried Blush:(

Vajazzler · 02/07/2011 15:21

What are you worried about TXH?

beba22 · 02/09/2012 14:23

i have been on orlistat for about 9 months, along with doing slimming world, i have lost 6 stone, and have had no problems on it, if you do follow the diet and the fat rule you should not have any problems, i still have 3 stone to lose to reach my target, and with the help of sw/orlistat i hope to reach it before xmas, i do excercise too, which helps very much to.
you will only get a bad belly if u eat over the recommended fat

mirry2 · 02/09/2012 14:30

I tried orlistat but it didn't have any effect apart from some tummy cramps. I think it was because I eat a low fat diet anyway.

kimlisa46 · 12/09/2012 17:29

I've been on this for nearly 3 weeks now - the side effects for me are almost welcome as I suffer from slow transit constipation, sometimes not going for up to two weeks. Trust me, that's worse that going three times a day which I am now - I feel so much better, not bloated, sick or crampy like I am when severely constipated.

I eat a healthy diet anyway, just the occaisonal lapse into cakeville now and again - had one small incident with the leaky orange oil but I had been to a bbq the day before and had some stuff I shouldn't have had so it's my own fault.

The side effects for me are nothing like other people have experienced - im sure if I eat a creamy curry or fried chicken I may feel differently but I'm almost disappointed if my deposits don't have an orange tinge to them - at least that way I know its working. I've lost 12 pound so far but 8 of that was prior to taking orlistat and down to increasing the amount of exercise I do. Gym three times a week, Pilates three times a week and swimming at least twice. I should be a size eight really !!

I find it a a huge struggle to lose weight, 12 pounds since 7th July is quite slow I think although its going in the right directions; I've hit a plateau for the past two weeks so off to Slimming World to start the ball rolling again.

Trace1963 · 17/06/2015 15:26

I'm starting slimming world tonight and Dr has given me orlistat to try has anyone done these two together

kellimommy · 26/02/2016 05:38

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samiad89 · 02/02/2017 14:35

Hi everyone 😀 So I started orlistat a week ago and I'm eating Low fat meals and being more active but I've only lost just under Rob 😢 I'm not convinced they are working as "going" has been kinda normal. Any advice? Thanks x

Daisy936 · 03/05/2018 22:28

has anyone tried this www.fatburnsupplement.net ?

allypally999 · 04/05/2018 08:47

I tried them briefly and agree nothing much happens if you eat a low-fat diet - I didn't lose any weight as I eat healthily anyway (although my appearance does not tally with this sadly). Quiet funny how well the fear factor seems to work though - wonder if they made that side-effect intentionally lol. It obviously works best if you have a very bad diet but as most people use it as a last resort they are most likely already eating pretty healthily anyway imo. Good to hear its worked for some people though.

Lorentush12 · 10/03/2019 16:47

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KEELIE25 · 08/11/2019 09:54

Hi everyone. Doctor have given me the orlistat tablets havent started them yet as im so worried about shitting meself at work! Im a bar maid in a buay pub. What foods.did you eat while taking these? And did it work? Xx

Leesey15 · 08/11/2019 10:37

KEELIE25 I started Orlistat 2days ago, this morning was a bit of an orange massacre when I first went to the toilet
Since then I’ve had 2 orange oily poos again but haven’t yet experienced shitting myself 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ Fingers crossed I don’t ever experience that either lol x

KEELIE25 · 08/11/2019 15:48

Thankyou for your reply. I have 3 days off work next week so going tO start them monday x

Nicole1996 · 16/11/2019 01:49

I am orlistat and a little confused says to take 3 tablets a day with meals and usually I take just before I eat but sometimes I don't Finnish the meal I only have a bit I'm scared that if I'm taking 3 tabs a day but not eating enough it will do me harm? Anyone else had this problem about side affects I've had the oil in the toilet after I've been but also I've had excessive farting and burping this has also gave me trapped wind and I had a nasty pain in my back behind my chest but I think that was because I didn't eat enough with the tablet but on the upside started around 6 weeks ago weighing 15stone 11 now 14 stone 2 so must be doing something also I haven't been to a gym or what ever and haven't changed my diet I know I should but still been snacking in the day and having takeaways but paying the price for that a couple hours later