Weight loss pills and tablets in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Weight Loss Clinic provides weight loss pills and tablets to people throughout Edinburgh, including New Town, Leith, Old Town, Haymarket, Stockbridge, Morningside, Bruntsfield, Corstorphine, Grassmarket and Portobello. The process is online — assessment, prescriber review, then discreet home delivery — with clinical support and coaching included, so there’s no need to travel to a high-street pharmacy.

The best pill depends on your health, how you prefer to take treatment, and how much weight you want to lose. Wegovy tablets (oral semaglutide) and Foundayo (orforglipron) are once-daily GLP-1 tablets. Orlistat is a commonly used option that works by reducing the amount of fat you absorb when you eat. The fat stays in your gut until it is pushed out in your poo, never entering the rest of the body.

Orlistat is typically prescribed for patients who are overweight and have had difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise alone. It’s important to combine its use with a low-fat diet and regular physical activity. If you eat a higher fat diet whilst taking Orlistat, you will have more fat in your gut and poo; which will lead to many of the side effects listed. If you eat a low fat diet, the side effects are very few. This medication is also only intended for use in adults.

If you are in Edinburgh and thinking about this option, it is crucial to understand that while Orlistat can help with weight management, it may also come with side effects, such as digestive discomfort, and it is not suitable for everyone.

Orlistat is the active ingredient in other prescription weight loss pills like Xenical and the over-the-counter weight loss capsule Alli. It’s always recommended to discuss weight loss pills with a healthcare provider to ensure they are a safe and appropriate option for your specific health needs.

To qualify for prescription weight loss pills, you typically need to have:

• A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more or
• A BMI of 28 or more along with other weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

You must also have tried losing weight through diet and exercise. Your healthcare provider will assess your health history, the risks of obesity-related diseases, and determine if weight loss pills are a suitable option for you.

Common side effects of orlistat include increased frequency and urgency of bowel movements, farting more often, oily or fatty stools, and oily discharge from your rectum.

Side effects were last updated on May 3rd 2024 based on information from the NHS. Visit the medication page for more details on who should and shouldn’t take each weight loss pill.