Orlistat and Gas: What Users Say

• Mes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2019

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Ok, so I started taking Alli for weight loss back in June. I dropped 7 pounds in 7 days by exercising, dieting, and drinking water. I will admit, make the toilet your best friend, and if you're a female and very gassy, grab a pad or pantyliner. It gets nasty. You have to eat for your body type, and do what is needed to shed pounds. DO NOT think popping 3 pills a day will magically induce weight loss. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2018

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I almost decided not to try Alli because of the horror stories, but I'm glad I did. The first two days I had minor nausea and slight cramping, but it never recurred after that. I have followed the diet and fat requirements, and I have never had an accident or any problems, I am on week 4. The only slight day-to-day issue is minor constipation and a little gas. Not enough to make me stop taking it. I ate in a restaurant for the first time and did not have access to nutrition content and had no issues. If you are serious about diet and weight loss, give it a try and don't let the horror stories deter you."

• Cri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2019

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started taking Xenical on Saturday, 23 March 2019. Weighed in at 95kg. It’s now Monday, 25 March 2019, and I weighed myself, I’m already 94kg. I haven’t had any major side effects. I’m a bit more gassy than normal, my stools have changed to an orange color but not been caught short. I just feel the need to go to the bathroom more often. I will add a further review in a week or so to say if any side effects have changed."

• Sam...
• March 14, 2016

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've lost about 5 lbs in a little over a week. I'm not sure at this point how much of that weight loss has been from Alli or if it was from changing my diet and eliminating sugars and carbs. I can see the oily fat in the stools. Yesterday I made a BIG mistake and ate fries and a fried chicken sandwich. Since I have had two accidents, where my flatulence has spewed large amounts of oil into my underwear. Was not expecting that. Will not eat a high-fat meal again on these pills."

• hsi...
• April 26, 2016

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I purchased Alli back in 2009 (great worked a treat and lost weight), and since I have had two more attempts in 2014, now 2016. The product does not work at all. This time I have been taking it for over one week, and I have experienced constipation and flatulence. The product was purchased from reputable pharmacies, and again I feel I just wasted my hard-earned money. I am unsure what has changed. However, I know one thing: the product is definitely not the same, I feel like the tablets are duds. No change to my weight, just embarrassing wind, stomach cramps, it makes you feel bunged up. No change to stool whatsoever, not even if fatty food is introduced to the diet. My advice is do not bother, I won't from now on. Hope this helps :("

• R-J...
• July 29, 2013

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I began taking orlistat, Xenical 120mg three times a day with meals for the treatment of obesity. I am 18, female, and weighed 21 stone 9 lbs as of 22/07/13. I have been taking Xenical for just a week and have experienced very few side effects, slightly more gastric distress (flatulence and the occasional oily excrement), but that is as a result of my ignorance to food and fat. I am delighted to find that after only a week, I have lost 14 pounds and now weigh 20 stone 9 lbs. I appreciate that I am still overweight, but I have lost 1 stone and 9 inches in total from various areas of my body and am extraordinarily surprised to find myself reveling in such success."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2016

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been taking this medicine for a week now. No bad side effects other than a bit of wind. If you stick to your diet, there won't be any oil or accidents. Started at 80 kg and aiming to get down to 60. Hoping the hard work pays off when I have a weigh-in!"

• Anonymous
• July 19, 2009

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Feels like something running around in my stomach, really bad wind, scared to poop in case of an accident. Couldn't sleep until 5 a.m. for fear of an accident in bed. Had two accidents already in 3 days. Oily discharge leaking and making my underwear smell bad as well, which must be noticeable. Haven't taken my second dose today. Want to give this a fair trial but unable to leave the house for fear of accidents. Will see if half the 120 mg dosage works better on me."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started 4 days ago, and the only side effect so far is gas, and stools are still the same. Even ate really bad one day at the movies, and no side effect makes me wonder if this drug will work for me ;("

• Kdo...
• April 13, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm currently on day two. I am eating extremely well: fruits, veggies, and lean meats. Having lots of loose stools and gas on day two. Is this normal? I only take the pill with lunch and dinner since naturally I don't get hungry enough to eat until lunch. Going to keep going and crossing my fingers that with light exercise and portion control I can lose a few pounds. I am currently 5'3" and 148 pounds."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've struggled with my weight all my life. I have PCOS. At my heaviest, I was 17 st. I started taking orlistat prescription from the doctor and changed my diet to low-fat and lost over a stone in 4 weeks and am still losing today. I have had hardly any side effects apart from wind. Love these pills!"

• Fam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have started using Orlistat three weeks ago. With diet and a bit of walking, I lost one kg only. Only 1 kg in three weeks! With all the horrible side effects, 1 kg is nothing. It caused me stomach pain, oily stool, gas, and diarrhea every day. It’s not worth it!"

• Ais...
• April 27, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I tried Orlistat years ago but was ignorant toward its use (not controlling fatty foods and having lovely sunset yellow accidents), so I gave it up. I have struggled with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) since the age of 17, and one of my symptoms has been weight. I've always been overweight, and when I diet and exercise, the hormonal imbalance makes it harder to lose the lbs, and I gain muscle instead. After two kids, it's become harder to lose any weight, so I decided to go back to prescribed Orlistat. Now 4 days in, bloated, flatulence, no accidents, looser stools, and bloating goes away after relieving myself. I haven't weighed myself yet. (On the 2nd day, I felt dizziness, but no more). I'm careful with fat consumption and try not to snack in between meals."

• Flu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "GP prescribed tablets as immobile with osteoarthritis and 29 kg overweight. Started 3 days ago with 1 tablet before evening meal as didn't want an embarrassing moment at work! Haven't lost any ounces but know it's early days and will go to two tabs today as weekend. Will say that my appetite seems suppressed so that's good and noticed have had a little stomach ache but not a pain! Yes, the flatulence is happening but am really watching my diet of low fats and haven't had choc for 3 days!! Am drinking more water with a slice of lemon in it to jazz it up! Wish everyone well and lighter here! Will update when I've lost some kgs!"

• Anonymous
• November 29, 2017

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "This pill has worked for so many people, so I thought I would give it a shot. I go to a dietitian regularly for food allergies, so my diet is already very healthy and effective. I took Alli not only for weight loss, but mostly because I had heard from friends it would help keep me regular. I will say if you cheat on your diet, do not take Alli, you will have oily movements instead of a normal bowel motion. However, even in my instance, Alli caused me serious stomach issues. Although I did not have accidents, I did have feelings that I was not going to make it to the restroom or extreme gas. This pill all depends on your body chemistry. Even with a good diet, sometimes it will not work. However, I did start taking a veggie fiber after Alli, and it has great benefits."

• ali...
• January 19, 2016

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Alli on Saturday the 16th. I took all 3 pills throughout the day with my moderately fat diet, and it's now Tuesday the 19th, and I've not had one oily stool or 'accidents.' My flatulence has increased, and I have a gurgly sensation in my belly once in a while. Just wondering if these things are going to work. I will weigh myself in a few days to see."

• Orl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "The first few days of taking Orlistat were a bit of a nightmare. Orange oil was actually running out of my anus, so much so that I had to wear large pads as I ruined my pajama bottoms. You also have to bleach the toilet bowl to remove the orange oil. Now the leakage has stopped, and I’ve lost 4 lbs in 10 days. Flatulence is not as bad as it was. And I’ve lost the sugar cravings. My BMI was 31, my weight 12 st 12. I have a month's supply. From the doctor. I’m not sure if I will be given any more, if not, at least it’s given me a good start keeping to a low-fat diet. A little walking and feeling a lot less bloated. I would highly recommend if you’re willing to cut out the fat and rubbish."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2017

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I used Alli for about three weeks. I didn't notice it helping me lose weight faster than I can with a Weight Watchers program. It did increase my bowel movements. I did have some stomach discomfort and gas. I stopped using it at the end of the third week because I went out to dinner and took my pill with my meal, and it made me extremely ill. Vomiting and diarrhea for over eight hours!!! I would not recommend this product to anybody!!! Weight Watchers is working out very well for me. Eating healthy and exercise is the only way to go, there is no magic pill!!! I had to find out the hard way!"

• Amm...
• July 20, 2016

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Am in Ghana, and I started taking this drug yesterday. I have not had an 'oily poop' incidence... in fact, no poop at all. But all I have been doing is passing out extraordinary gases."

• Bun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Oh my Lord, I'm on my fourth day of orlistat, and I've been farting orange oils like no tomorrow, but my clothes are already a wee bit looser!"