Wegovy Vs. Orlistat: What's The Difference?

Obesity is a major public health concern, with the condition responsible for at least 2.8 million deaths each year.

Being overweight or obese can lead to a number of diseases, including heart disease and strokes. Cardiovascular diseases like these are the leading causes of death worldwide.

As obesity becomes more common, there's been a growing search for effective weight loss drugs. Two popular treatment options are Wegovy and Orlistat.

Wegovy is a treatment used for ongoing weight management in adults. It works by reducing your appetite. We'll discuss how it works, who it benefits the most, and how it's taken in more detail.

Another popular weight loss treatment is Orlistat, which works by blocking the absorption of fat. We'll go into more detail on who Orlistat is for, exactly how it works, and how it's taken.

In this article, we'll discuss these two treatments and their roles in weight loss management.

While medication can be an effective tool for weight loss, a healthy lifestyle is also important as part of your weight loss journey. Make sure to seek professional guidance before starting any medication.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a medication to help you lose weight, containing the active ingredient semaglutide. It's commonly used in the US and has recently received approval for use in the UK.

Semaglutide has a similar structure to natural hormones that work to regulate appetite. By making you less hungry and more full when eating, you eat fewer calories. Over time, this helps you to lose weight.

Who Can Take Wegovy?

Wegovy is licensed for use in adults aged 18-75 years. To qualify for treatment, you must have a BMI (body mass index) of 35 or more, or 30 or more with other risk factors. Individuals with Asian, Black African, and African-Caribbean family backgrounds may qualify with lower BMIs.

Medical conditions/risk factors that qualify you for treatment include:

• Diabetes

• High Blood Pressure

• Cardiovascular Disease/Heart Disease

• Sleep Apnoea

How Is Wegovy Taken?

Wegovy is given as a subcutaneous injection once a week. This means an injection that goes underneath the skin, but not into the muscle.

You'll probably be given the injection by healthcare professionals first, as they have to prescribe Wegovy. After the first few times, they'll train you on how to give the injection yourself. You can be given a Wegovy pen to make it easier to inject yourself.

You can inject Wegovy into the stomach, upper thigh, or upper arm. You should choose a different injection site each week to avoid irritation.

The starting dose of Wegovy is usually 0.25 mg, injected once weekly, followed by a dosing schedule where the dose is increased every 4 weeks for 16 weeks. Usually, the maximum dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg, but your healthcare professional will advise you on the correct dose for you.

Side Effects

As with any medication, taking Wegovy can cause adverse effects. Potential side effects include burping, constipation or diarrhoea, dizziness, tiredness, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and, rarely, serious side effects like pancreatitis and thyroid cancer.

Make sure to discuss any side effects with a healthcare professional.

Who Should Avoid Using Wegovy?

To be prescribed Wegovy, you need to meet the criteria we mentioned above. However, other factors can make Wegovy unsuitable for you.

Wegovy should be avoided in individuals over 75 years, as dramatic weight loss in this group is likely to cause muscle loss. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid Wegovy, as it's unknown whether the drug passes into your breast milk or to your unborn baby. Individuals with a family history of thyroid cancer should also avoid Wegovy.

Due to how the medication is broken down by the body, people with liver, kidney, or heart failure should also avoid taking Wegovy. Diabetics who are already taking similar medication shouldn't take Wegovy. If you suffer from mental health issues, Wegovy may not be suitable for you, as it can increase the risk of depression.

If you're unsure about whether to take the medication, talk to us.

What is Orlistat?

Orlistat is a medication that's used to help people lose weight. It works by stopping fat absorption, meaning your body absorbs less of the fat that you eat. This can help you to lose weight, or stop you from gaining back weight you've already lost.

Together with reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity, Orlistat can help with losing weight and maintain weight loss.

Orlistat is available in the UK under various brand names, including Alli and Xenical. Alli is available over the counter, as it contains half the dose of the prescription drugs Xenical and Orlistat.

How is Orlistat Taken?

All types of Orlistat come in tablet form. Regardless of dose, the tablets are taken three times a day with meals. If you don't eat a meal, you don't need to take that tablet - don't worry about the missed dose.

Orlistat is usually trialled for 12 weeks. If you've lost 5% or more of your body weight, it's probably a suitable treatment for you and you can keep taking Orlistat.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of taking Orlistat capsules are oily stools/poo and stomach pains. You may also experience diarrhoea and other stomach problems.

If you're experiencing any worrying side effects, seek medical help.

Who Should Avoid Orlistat?

Orlistat can rarely cause kidney problems, so should be avoided by people who already have kidney disease. It can also affect how certain vitamins are absorbed, so should be avoided in people who have issues absorbing food.

The absorption of other medicines might also be affected, which could stop them from working properly. We also have limited information about Orlistat use in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Make sure to consult a medical professional if you're already taking any medication or have any pre-existing health conditions.

How Do They Work in the Body?

How Does Wegovy Work?

We mentioned that Wegovy mimics a natural hormone, but let's go into more detail.
The active ingredient of Wegovy, Semaglutide, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.

This is a complicated name, but essentially it means it activates this type of receptor by pretending to be the natural hormone GLP-1. If you're not sure what receptors are, they're proteins on the outside of your cells that receive chemical messages.

GLP-1 is a hormone that's released by the gut in response to food. It works by regulating appetite, to tell your brain that you're full. As Wegovy is very similar to GLP-1, it tricks your body into feeling full. If you're more full, you're likely to eat less, and decreased calorie intake leads to weight loss.

How Does Orlistat Work?

Orlistat is a weight loss treatment that's authorised for use in the UK.

Orlistat works by attaching itself to any enzyme in your gut that absorbs fat. With orlistat bound to it, the enzyme can no longer absorb fat, so fat stays in the gut. Eventually, the fat leaves your body in your poo.

By taking Orlistat, your body absorbs a third less fat. This can help with losing weight, as your body is more likely to start using its own fat stores. Orlistat has the most weight loss benefits when combined with increased exercise, physical activity, and a healthy diet.

A reduced calorie diet is important, but it's good to also reduce your fat intake. As your body absorbs less fat when taking Orlistat, it stays in your gut. More undigested fat can cause stomach pains and diarrhoea.

Choosing Between Wegovy and Orlistat

Efficacy: Which Is More Effective for Weight Loss?

The Evidence Behind Wegovy

Wegovy is already a proven weight loss medication that's popular in the US.

Several studies suggest that using Wegovy is an effective way to lose weight. One study showed that people taking Wegovy lost 12% more of their body weight than people who weren't.

Over 68 weeks, 83% of adults taking Wegovy lost 5% or more of their body weight. On average, individuals in three different trials lost 12.4%, 6.2%, and 10.3% of their body weight when taking Wegovy for 68 weeks.

The Evidence Behind Orlistat

You may want to know: "Is Orlistat effective?". In short, yes it is.

Studies suggest it's more effective at stopping fat absorption in solid food rather than liquids.

In a two-year study, the Orlistat group lost significantly more weight than the placebo group and were better able to maintain their weight loss. Another study showed similar results, with more significant weight loss and half as much weight regain in the Orlistat group vs the placebo group.

Over a year, one study showed that 50.5% of people lost 5% or more of their body weight.

No study compares Orlistat and Wegovy directly, so it's difficult to compare the numbers accurately. However, the evidence shows both are effective weight loss medications.

Side Effects: Which Has Fewer Side Effects?

As with any medication, both weight loss treatments come with side effects.

Wegovy

When using Wegovy, nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects. However, these are rare - one study showed that less than 5% of patients stopped treatment due to these side effects. Mostly, the symptoms resolved themselves.

Wegovy has been linked to thyroid tumours in rodents, but there's no data about the link in humans. The treatment should be avoided in anyone who's previously had thyroid tumours, or any family members who've had thyroid tumours.

Other more serious side effects include inflammation of the pancreas, liver and gallbladder problems, low blood sugar in diabetics, depression, kidney problems, and an increased heart rate. These are much more rare - for example, pancreatitis affected 0.2% of clinical trials participants.

Orlistat

The most frequent side effects of Orlistat are gastrointestinal, affecting 1 in 10 people. This includes fatty/oily poo, urgently needing to poo, oily discharge from the anus, more frequent bowel movements, incontinence, and farting with oily discharge.

These symptoms can make people want to stop treatment or try other medicines. Luckily these symptoms are usually mild, and get better the longer you take the medication.

Another common side effect is low vitamin levels, especially A, D, E, and K as fat helps them be absorbed. This can be easily treated with supplements.

Serious side effects, like liver problems, are rare.

Summary

For both weight management medications, the full list of side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet.

Side effects of Wegovy can be reported to the FDA and/or Novo Nordisk. Serious side effects for Orlistat, including allergic reactions, should be reported to your healthcare provider and via the y ellow card reporting site.

With either of the weight loss treatments, if you start experiencing a severe allergic reaction, severe abdominal pain, or bleeding from the back passage, then seek medical help immediately.

Cost and Availability

Availability

Wegovy is a prescription-only medication. It is available in specialist health settings in the UK, and also GP surgeries, prescribing pharmacies and online doctor services.

Orlistat is a prescription medication at the higher 120 mg dose, but the lower dose of 60mg is available over the counter. Over-the-counter medicines can be bought from an in-person or online pharmacy without needing a prescription. You'll likely still have to answer some questions about your medical history to make sure the treatment is suitable for you, though.

Orlistat and Wegovy are both available to buy from Quick Meds, delivered quickly and discreetly to your door.

NHS Availability

If you meet certain specific criteria, Orlistat is available on the NHS. You'll need a prescription from your doctor, including your GP.

Wegovy is available on the NHS, but only through specialist weight management services. This means you'll require a referral from your GP to the specialist service. You'll only be able to continue NHS Wegovy treatment for a maximum of 2 years due to funding.

Cost

The cost of Wegovy ranges from supplier to supplier but is more costly than Orlistat. Whilst Orlistat is around £45.99 for a 4-week supply, Wegovy starts from around £145 for a 4-week supply.

The average monthly cost of Orlistat capsules depends on the brand that you opt for. Xenical, the branded version of Orlistat, is the most expensive option. Prices start around £55 for a 28-day supply.

Unbranded Orlistat capsules contain the same active ingredient but tend to be cheaper, with a month's supply costing £45.99.

Lower doses of Orlistat that can be purchased over the counter, like Alli, may be cheaper. However, they aren't as effective at stopping fat absorption.

Who Should Consider Wegovy?

ndividuals with a BMI over 35, or over 30 with other specific medical issues, are eligible for Wegovy. If you're committed to losing weight and you've tried lifestyle changes, Wegovy can be a good weight loss option.

It's important to continue a low-calorie diet and regular exercise alongside taking Wegovy.

Before getting started, a medical professional will review you to make sure Wegovy is a suitable option for you. They'll also make sure you're happy to inject yourself, as this is part of the treatment process.

Who Should Consider Orlistat?

For Orlistat treatment, you have to have a BMI of over 30, or over 27 with other medical issues.

If you have thyroid issues, mental health issues, or liver issues, Orlistat may be a better option for you. It's important to discuss this with your prescriber.

Orlistat works most effectively if you're committed to eating a lower-fat diet, as you'll experience fewer side effects and be more likely to continue with the medicine. You'll also need to have previously tried a low-calorie diet with regular exercise, and be willing to keep this up.

With Orlistat, you'll be reviewed after 12 weeks to check whether you've lost 5% of your body weight. If you haven't, it's likely the medication isn't working for you and it will most likely be stopped by your clinical team.

When choosing between the two, it's important to consider:

• Cost

• Pre-existing medical conditions

• Any medication you're already taking

• Whether you're happy to inject yourself every week

• Your BMI

• Your family history (especially of thyroid cancer)

• Professional medical advice

Summary

Wegovy and Orlistat are two effective weight-loss medicines. Both generally need to be prescribed based on strict medical and BMI criteria, but a lower dose of Orlistat can be bought over the counter. Wegovy is available for purchase in the UK and can be purchased via the Quick Meds website.

Orlistat is taken orally, three times a day with meals. Wegovy is injected weekly. Orlistat works by stopping fat from being absorbed by the gut, whilst Wegovy works similarly to your natural hormones to make you feel fuller.

Both medications should start working soon after starting them, with some results visible from the first few weeks.

It's important to seek medical advice before deciding which medication to take. Quick Meds offers affordable weight loss consultations with trained professionals who can recommend the best weight loss treatment for you. If you choose to purchase medication from us, the consultation cost will be subtracted from the price.