Free tool
Can I eat this with Orlistat?
Orlistat is taken with meals containing fat, and a low-fat diet reduces digestive side effects like oily poo and diarrhoea.
Also sold as Alli, Beacita, Orlos, Xenical. Brand names from the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices.
Type any food below for an instant verdict — we check 7 foods and drinks for Orlistat (0 to avoid, 4 to take care with) — or tap one below.
Quick answers
- Should I take Orlistat with food?
- Take before, with, or up to 1 hour after a meal. If your meal has no fat, do not take a capsule.
- Can I eat high-fat processed meats with Orlistat?
- Yes, with care. Avoid high-fat foods like processed or fatty meats to reduce digestive side effects.
- Can I eat fried food with Orlistat?
- Yes, with care. Avoid high-fat foods like fried food to reduce digestive side effects.
- Can I eat biscuits with Orlistat?
- Yes, with care. Avoid high-fat foods like biscuits to reduce digestive side effects.
- Can I eat cakes with Orlistat?
- Yes, with care. Avoid high-fat foods like cakes to reduce digestive side effects.
Grounded in the checker below. Not a substitute for your pharmacist.
1 · What do you take?
Orlistat is taken with meals containing fat, and a low-fat diet reduces digestive side effects like oily poo and diarrhoea.
Take orlistat with each meal containing fat, but avoid high-fat foods to reduce side effects like oily poo and diarrhoea. You need to eat a healthy, calorie-controlled diet with fruit and vegetables. Take a multivitamin at bedtime. If a meal has no fat, skip the dose.
Browse our medication food guides →2 · What do you want to eat or drink?
When to take it: Take before, with, or up to 1 hour after a meal. If your meal has no fat, do not take a capsule.
Tap a food to see the answer, or type any food or drink in the box above.
Take care with Orlistat· 4
Fine with Orlistat· 3
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This checker summarises published guidance (NHS medicine pages, patient information leaflets and drug labels) for general information only. It is not medical advice, it is not exhaustive, and it cannot account for your dose, kidney function, other medicines, or health conditions. Always follow your prescriber, pharmacist, or the patient information leaflet — especially before changing what you eat or drink. See our editorial policy.
Further reading on Orlistat
The pages our answers quote. Every answer shows “Where this comes from” with the exact words, checked 24 September 2026. How we check
NHS website
Orlistat: a medicine to treat obesity
NHS information about the medicine orlistat, including what it's used for, who can take it, how to take it and side effects.
US FDA drug label
US FDA drug label: Orlistat
The official US prescribing information for Orlistat, including how food, drink and other medicines affect it.
The Journal
Read our medication food guides →
A full Orlistat guide is on its way. Meanwhile, the Journal covers timing, grapefruit, alcohol and more.