Alli

Orlistat can affect the way other medications work. Similarly, other medications can affect the way orlistat works. Examples of these medications include cyclosporine, levothyroxine, warfarin, amiodarone, anti-seizure medications, and HIV medications. Tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications and supplements you're taking before starting orlistat. They can help you make sure you're taking all of your medications at the correct times to get the most out of each medication.

Orlistat can sometimes cause serious liver injury. Your provider will likely check your liver before starting you on orlistat. If you have a history of liver problems, your provider may check your liver tests more often. While taking this medication, if you experience abdominal pain, dark-colored urine, pale-colored stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, loss of appetite, or itching, get medical help right away.

Although rare, orlistat can raise the amount of oxalate in your urine. If there's too much oxalate in the urine, it can bind to calcium and cause kidney stones. Your provider will make sure to check your kidney function before starting you on orlistat and throughout treatment to make sure you don't develop kidney injury or kidney stones. Tell your provider right away if you develop pain on the sides of your lower back, blood in your urine, nausea or vomiting, or urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.

Losing weight can sometimes raise the risk of gallstones. In the clinical studies for orlistat, about 3% of people who took the medication to prevent diabetes developed gallstones compared to 2% of people who took the placebo.