OTC orlistat

April 21, 2009 at 10:58 am | In Prescribing Extra - Drugs |

Orlistat will shortly be available to purchase from community pharmacies following a successful application to regulatory authorities. This product launch has gained significant media attention (BBC).

Each Alli^® capsule will contain 60mg of orlistat and is recommended for people who are overweight (BMI > 28), want to lose weight, and will commit to healthier eating. The product is expected to retail for approximately £50 for a months supply.

This over-the-counter (OTC) product is half the strength of the prescription only version (Xenical^®) but concerns have been raised about the potential for side effects if lifestyle changes are not implemented.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of the wider availability of this product.