OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
Orlistat preparations are available in different dosages. The preparations up to an active ingredient quantity of 60mg per tablet are available without prescription in pharmacies. The dosage of 120mg per tablet is available only on prescription.
The use of the over-the-counter preparations should also be discussed with the treating family doctor, as this can prevent possible side effects and interactions. The most important alternative to Orlistat is a healthy and balanced diet with reduced calorie content and exercise. Any additional intake of medication should be discussed with the treating physician.A different class of drugs than lipase inhibitors are anorectics.
These work by reducing the feeling of hunger and increasing the body’s basal metabolic rate. These include amphetamines. Due to the high risk of side effects, they are not normally recommended.
There are no studies on the effects of Orlistat in pregnancy. It is therefore not recommended. However, as Orlistat is only absorbed into the body in small amounts, taking it before pregnancy is known is usually not critical.
It is not known whether Orlistat can enter the breast milk, so it should not be taken while breastfeeding. The newborn baby has a high calorie requirement and could develop complications if taken through breast milk.
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