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Compare Alli vs. Wegovy

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Orlistat
Wegovy (semaglutide)
Orlistat
Wegovy (semaglutide)

Summary of Alli vs. Wegovy

Summary for Lipase inhibitor

Orlistat is a medication that works alongside diet and exercise to increase weight loss in people who are overweight or obese. It needs to be taken three times a day and is available with a prescription in a higher dose (Xenical) or over the counter in a lower dose (Alli).

Summary for GLP-1 agonist
Prescription only

Wegovy (semaglutide) is used in addition to a lower-calorie diet and exercise plan to help with weight loss in certain adults and children 12 years of age and older. It's also proven to lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease. This medication belongs to the drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. The dosing schedule for Wegovy (semaglutide) is once a week, and the medication is injected under your skin. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

Indications of Alli vs. Wegovy

Indications for

Xenical (orlistat):

Obesty management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of:

•30 kg/m^2^ or greater or
•27 kg/m^2^ or greater and at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol)

Alli (orlistat):

Weight loss in adults when combined with a lower-calorie and low-fat diet

Indications for
•Long-term treatment for weight management in:
•Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater; or BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater and a weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
•Children 12 years of age and older with a baseline BMI at the 95th percentile or greater
•Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with heart disease and a larger body size

Pros and Cons of Alli vs. Wegovy

Pros and Const for Lipase inhibitor
Pros
•Works well to block a portion of the fat you eat
•Xenical is approved for people ages 12 years and older.
•Available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms
Cons
•Still need to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine
•Must remember to take with each fat-containing meal
•Only available as a brand medication so it can be expensive
Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
Pros
•Can help you lose weight when it's used along with a nutritious diet and regular exercise
•Approved for use for weight loss in certain children aged 12 years and older (BMI at or above the 95th percentile)
•Injected once a week
Cons
•Must inject under the skin
•Can cause stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea
•Can't take with other semaglutide products (Ozempic, Rybelsus) or with other GLP-1 agonists

Common Side Effects of Alli vs. Wegovy

Common Side Effects for

Xenical (orlistat):

•Oily spotting on underwear (4-27%)
•Gas with anal discharge (2-24%)
•Urge to have a bowel movement (3-22%)
•Fatty or oily stool (6-20%)
•Having more bowel movements (3-11%)
•Difficulty controlling bowel movements (2-8%)

Alli (orlistat):

•Gas with oily spotting
•Loose stools
•More frequent stools that are hard to control
Common Side Effects for
•Nausea (44%)
•Diarrhea (30%)
•Vomiting (24%)
•Constipation (24%)
•Stomach pain (20%)
•Headache (14%)
•Tiredness (11%)

Warnings of Alli vs. Wegovy

Common Side Effects for
•Medication interactions
•Liver injury
•Higher oxalate levels in the urine
•Gallstones
•Other causes of obesity
Common Side Effects for
•Possible risk for thyroid cancer
•Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
•Gallbladder problems
•Low blood sugar
•Kidney damage
•Allergic reactions
•Eye problems in people with Type 2 diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
•Faster heart rate
•Possible risk for self-harm

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