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Does Orlistat help in losing weight?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Swapan Banerjee

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At November 14, 2015
Reviewed AtFebruary 8, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am an unmarried 23-year-old female. My height and weight are 5 feet 6 inches and 231 lbs, respectively. Till now, I do not have any medical issues. Since childhood, I am a bit fat. So I would like to know, is there any tablet that can help me lose weight along with my diet? I heard that Xenical (Orlistat) will help me lose weight. Is it right?

Answered by Swapan Banerjee

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your case in detail.

1. First of all, Orlistat (Xenical) is a drug that may be useful for you. But, initially, I would recommend you go under natural treatment, better to say meal planning or a proper diet chart.

2. Pills have a lot of side effects, like mainly spots or spotting in underwear or around your genital areas, urinary problems, gas, flatulence, irritable bowel movements, diarrhea, and more types of gastric problems and disorders.

3. Xenical is used to aid in weight loss or to reduce the risk of regaining weight already lost. This medicine must be used together with a low-calorie diet.

4. Check if you have any disorders like gallbladder problems, chronic malabsorption syndrome (an inability to absorb food and nutrients properly), diabetes, hormonal problems, liver, kidney, pancreatitis, gallstones, or thyroid disease.

I suggest you start your diet chart or plan as below:

  1. Take 1200 kcal per day, which includes 600 kcal of light carbohydrate like 150 g of rice or roti, brown bread, flakes, etc., 60 g of protein like 200 ml of milk, chana, paneer, soy products, sour curd, salad, 20 g of pulses, and 20 g or 2 tablespoons of good-quality mustard oil, safola, etc.
  2. 6 AM: Early rise and walking, free hand exercises for 1 hour in the free air.
  3. 8 AM: Breakfast: A light meal like tea, cream cracker biscuits, rice flakes, or oats (50 g) or a vegetarian sandwich with 100 ml of milk and sour curd.
  4. 10 AM: Salad and any fruit like guava or papaya, four slices.
  5. 1 PM: Lunch: 50 g rice and two rotis; dal 15 g; fish or egg only white; curd; mixed vegetables 100 g.
  6. 4 PM: Fruit, two pieces, or 200 g salad.
  7. 6 PM: Tea and biscuits, flakes, etc. No fried or oily snacks.
  8. 9 PM: Dinner: Roti 3, dal, paneer, or fish 60 g, mixed vegetables 100 g, curd 100 g, or milk.
  9. Do not eat fast food or outside food, and no junk food. Do not use excess oil, masala, fatty foods, butter, ghee, or any saturated fats in meals.
  10. Avoid cold drinks, hard drinks, smoking, mutton, beef, biriyani, any type of nut, dry fruits, and packed foods.
  11. Sleep only for six hours. The most important thing is to work as much as possible or go for a walk, jog, free hand, or yoga.

The Probable causes

The probable causes are lifestyle or hormonal imbalance.

Investigations to be done

The investigations include blood test, sugar profile, hormonal profile.

Regarding follow up

Revert back after a week for follow up.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the advice.

I will follow up on the plan and let you know. Kindly let me know the weight-loss pill that I can take along with this diet and exercise.

Answered by Swapan Banerjee

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I would suggest you go with a low-calorie diet plan and rigorous exercise for the first two months. Work as much as possible. A dynamic lifestyle is compulsory. After two months, you can start taking pills. But you may have side effects from pills. So, let us start with a simple, harmless method first.

Revert back after a week for a follow-up.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Swapan Banerjee
Swapan Banerjee

Nutritionist

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