Orlistat and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2019

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I take Alli on and off, it is helpful, but today was different. As I was sitting in the office, I felt my downtown area wet, then I went to the restroom. The moment I was doing #1, then #2 started coming out as well, and when I looked in the toilet it was oily (red). To tell you the truth, I lost 20 lbs already."

• blo...
• March 23, 2014

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm on my second month, and or bottle of Alli. I tried it in the past, but I must admit, I ate fat and yes, had the loose bowel motion, but didn't gain weight. Now I only had 15 lb to lose, and so far, I've lost 7-9 lbs in a month, eating good. I did go on a week vacation and ate cake, drank cocktails, ribs, etc. Not every day, and yes, it came right out. Don't laugh, but I didn't gain a pound during the week. I'm not using it for that reason, but hey, now you can go on that cruise during your diet and not gain weight. Yes, you go to the bathroom a lot, but you know it's all coming out. For the most part, I'm 90 percent on track, with no side effects. And if I eat pizza and nachos on Friday night, so what, I don't gain weight and for once I'm not constipated."

• Des...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2020

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Well, I started Xenical in March last year. I had a couple of months off it as I was having bowel problems. I went on my first cruise in November 2019 and I weighed in at 71 kgs. I was 91 kgs to begin with. However, I feel like it’s not working anymore as I can’t seem to shift those last 5 kgs. I’m also not having oily stools. Anyone experience the same?"

• Axi...
• May 4, 2016

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started at 72 kgs., but after 6 DAYS of taking this pill, I lost 4 kgs!!! I am so happy about the progress and I hope this will continue. I am planning to take this for about 6 months so I can get back to my normal weight of 42 kgs - that was my normal weight before I gave birth. Hopefully, this amazing weight loss would continue. I am trying to avoid oily foods and I have been eating more green leafy vegetables. I think it's working well for me. I'm not being bothered by oily stools anymore since I've been eating less fat and more fiber. Never had any 'disturbance' at work as long as I avoid fatty foods at work."

• hid...
• December 21, 2011

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Well, just thought I would update you all. I left a comment on here last week. Had my first weigh-in yesterday and I have lost 11 pounds. Doctor has prescribed me these now for 2 more months and I have to have another review in 2 months' time. I'm so glad that these pills are working. My confidence has been given a real boost. Still suffering with loose stools but watching what I'm eating, but everything is moving in the right direction."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been using Orlistat for 6 weeks now, and I have lost 7 kg. I’m going to use it for a few months as I’m losing weight very nicely without any side effects, except the oily stools which are normal when you eat a big oily meal. I’m happy until now, fingers crossed."

• Men...
• April 15, 2016

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Ok, so it played nice with me. No side effects, nothing, well, until I had instant noodles. It's been three days, and I'm still running in and out of the toilet. I've literally been manufacturing oil in there, bright orange, it's disgusting. I'm never taking noodles for the rest of my life. As for my weight, I've lost 4kgs in a week. I feel great. Warning: stay away from oily foods. I learned the hard way."

• big...
• February 13, 2010

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Just over 4 weeks ago, I started taking Xenical that my doctor prescribed me. On the day I started, I weighed 23 stone 13 lbs, and now I am at 22 stone 5 lbs, so I have lost 21 lbs in just over 4 weeks! I was sensible enough to read online reviews and decided to make sure I eat as little fat as possible. When I'm hungry at lunch, I occasionally have an egg and bacon sandwich but cooked in no fat and using fry lite spray, cutting the fat off the meat. I have a sensible normal dinner and breakfast, sometimes toast with no butter and a banana inside or a couple slices of ham. I have cut out all the junk. Side effects for the first few days included slight tummy cramps and very occasionally a looser stool when going to the toilet, but no other side effects at all."

• Mar...
• October 6, 2016

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "This drug works but you need to be aware of the side effects. Though expensive (I'm in Australia, I don't know US prices), it's worth it as long as you eat and exercise properly. As it stops approximately 30% of the fat you digest from being broken down, you can lose fat-soluble vitamins. My pharmacist suggested using a multivitamin an hour before my first meal or 2 hours after breakfast so Xenical wouldn't stop the vitamins, though talk to someone before listening to this advice. If you eat anything with a high-fat content, you will probably poop your brains out. While visiting my dad, he made meat pies and I had burning diarrhea all night and the following morning. So don't do that, or if you choose to eat it, just skip the pill for that meal."

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2017

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been taking the drug for around 3 weeks, and the weight is literally flying off. What's more unusual is that I'm eating even more rubbish than I normally would: crisps, ice cream, chocolate, etc., and the weight is still coming off. Quite unbelievable. Yes, I'm having oily stools every day. They come out an orange color, and I'm going 2 or 3 times a day. But I can live with that. Apart from that, absolutely no side effects. None. I'm enjoying stepping on the scales every day. I can't wait to refine my diet so it is healthier and then see how much comes off. This is a miracle drug, and I can't believe I haven't tried it until now."

• 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."

• Ard...
• July 24, 2010

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Metamucil may help side effects: I started taking Xenical 8 days ago and was quite nervous about the side effects, especially diarrhea because I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Because of this, I have spent much of my life running to the bathroom. 7 or 8 years ago one doctor recommended Metamucil and it changed my life. I now take it twice a day and perhaps this is why I am not having any problems with Xenical. It's worth a try anyway. In 8 days, I've lost 5 or 6 lbs so am quite happy."

• Des...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 14, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Orlistat since March 2019. Had a couple of months break in between this time. I have lost 20 kilos. But now I’m not having any oily stools but have lots of foul-smelling flatulence. Is the Orlistat still working? I need to lose more weight due to the fact I’m only short and am 63 years old. Has anyone else had the same experience but still lost weight? I’m afraid it’s no longer working."

• Sun...
• April 16, 2016

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started taking Alli once I plateaued after losing about 12 lbs, and it has kick-started my weight loss again. I am on a daily exercise routine and try to stay very active. My eating habits are not great but not bad. With Alli, if you eat too much fat, you will have side effects. With my experience, I have had soft stools with oil slicks and oily flatulence, which is unpleasant but a motivation to stop me from eating things I shouldn't be eating. It acts as a consequence to your stupid choices, which I need. After a solid week of taking it three times a day with each meal, I have lost 2 lbs this week. I was stalled for four weeks without any loss, which is very frustrating! This works, hands down! 30 lbs to go."

• Sss...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2018

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I put on a heap of weight after being incorrectly prescribed an anti-depressant. I have come off the anti-depressant but needed to lose the 20 kilos I put on while on it. Started taking Xenical around 6 months ago, take it most days and have lost 15-17 kilos. I'll take it for another 3 months to lose the rest and get back to my goal weight. Be careful of loose stools, but otherwise, it's great and has little side effects."

• Pon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2017

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been using Xenical for 40 days now, lost 18 lbs with minimum exercise. I wish it was a bit cheaper, because I paid $180 for 90 capsules, but the results are great, so I will continue taking it. I like that Xenical reduced my appetite, however, I need to stay home most of the time because I have loose stools almost every day. People say to eat a low-fat diet, but if you eat lots of salads and vegetables, you will still be using the washroom a lot."

• Sas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2018

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started Alli feeling unhealthy, no energy, not much bowel movement. 5'5", weighing 195 lbs. I know most of it's fat. I used to lift weights years ago in my younger days when I was fit. I had pregnancy diabetes. Dr. said if I didn't keep weight under control, I'd be a diabetic later in life. Once I had the baby, I no longer had to take insulin, but 20 years later, I'm overweight. I started Alli and went from 195 lbs to 190 lbs, lost 5 lbs in one week. My b.m.'s are more consistent, I feel more energy. I walk about a mile each day. I try to watch what I eat so that I don't get oily stools with stomach cramping (feels like menstrual cramps). Sometimes I splurge on a steak dinner when my husband takes me out to dinner. The rest of the week, it's one piece of lightly buttered toast with a cup of coffee, sugar/cream, and an apple for breakfast, a tuna sandwich with an apple for lunch, and air fryer chicken or fish filet for dinner. It's been only one week on Alli, I'm determined to lose 45 more lbs."

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have posted on here before when I gained two new friends! I wanted to update my review. After my first try, I wasn’t well, when I got better, I started to take these again, and all I can say is I’m glad I did. I have lost nearly 28 pounds in two months, and I feel amazing. The side effects are still oily stools sometimes, but my body must be used to it now."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2018

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Xenical two days ago, and I've already lost 2 kilos. Yes, the side effects aren't the best, but I can live with them if this is the result. My pants are already loose on me! I have not experienced any side effects besides loose bowels and oily stools depending on what I eat. It is a little pricey, in Australia, it's about $97 a month, but it's early days, and I feel so much better. I am willing to pay the price!"

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2018

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Xenical two days ago, and I've already lost 2 kilos. Yes, the side effects aren't the best, but I can live with them if this is the result. My pants are already loose on me! I have not experienced any side effects besides loose bowels and oily stools depending on what I eat. It is a little pricey, in Australia, it's about $97 a month, but it's early days, and I feel so much better. I am willing to pay the price!"

• fat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My endocrinologist prescribed this medication to help me lose weight, but I don't know if it's so useful for someone who never ate a lot of fat to begin with. My usual fat intake is less than 50g/day, and it mostly comes from fish, olive oil, and cheese. Now, the one day I ate a REALLY fatty meal, I did get diarrhea with orange stuff that people often describe here. Honestly, if you're getting oily stool and diarrhea every single day or too often, you should probably reevaluate your diet, because from what I've experienced, it takes A LOT of fat to cause that."

• Mik...
• August 15, 2015

Orlistat for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I used it years ago with great success. Not sure what they changed in the formula, but it no longer works for me personally. It used to block some fat, which obviously came in your poo, kind of orangey in color. It doesn't do this anymore, it just gives me diarrhea. I'm not wasting any more money."

• Ora...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have started Orlistat only 3 days ago! I have had it prescribed from the GP as I can’t shift weight at all, tried loads of diets!!! Pleased to say no nasty effects (did notice the oily stools, have been going to the toilet only once a day, max twice). I have lost 1 kg already!! I am following a low-calorie diet too, so let’s be positive! Scared to eat rubbish as I heard you can have accidents, lol! So I have been a good girl and no accidents so far!"

• Xmi...
• May 3, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on orlistat for 2 weeks, and already I have lost 10 lbs! It takes a few days to know what you can and can't have... trust me, you will too! Ha! The only 'side effect' I've had was loose stools at quite short notice (but enough notice to get to the bathroom), and this was only because I had a small slice of birthday cake. Otherwise, I haven't experienced any grim 'side effects.' You definitely have to change your eating habits though. Looking forward to my next lot from my doctor."

• ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I lost about 15 kg in 2 months by taking Xenical 120 mg pill before each meal. The beautiful thing is you don't have to do any sports. You can just eat like you ate before, but it even goes faster when you don't eat much fat. When your pills are finished, you have to pay attention because if you keep eating like before, you will gain weight again. Unless you keep taking Xenical. Ok, it was expensive (about $160 for 90 capsules), that is enough for 1 month (when you take 3 a day). But it was totally worth it. The most expensive was buying new clothes :-) Only disadvantage is diarrhea. Just make sure you have a clean set of underwear with you."