Can you take Wegovy and Orlistat together?

It's no secret that weight loss medications are a major topic of conversation right now. While they may be a contentious area of discussion at a dinner party, these breakthrough drugs can be life-changing for those who have struggled to lose or manage their weight for many years.

If you're considering medication as part of your weight loss journey, two names you may come across in your research are Wegovy and Orilstat. Alongside other drugs like Saxenda and Mounjaro, these medications have been found to assist in shifting the scales — albeit, in different ways.

But, how exactly can these medications help you lose weight? And, can you take Orlistat and Wegovy together? Read on for everything you need to know.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable medication that, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet, has been associated with significant weight loss.

It falls into a category of medications called glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists, that mimic the activity of a hormone in the body called GLP-1 [1].

This hormone is naturally released by the gut when you eat and plays an important role in regulating blood sugar.

The GLP-1 mechanism leads to weight loss in a few different ways. Firstly, it slows down the emptying of the stomach, which can help sustain feelings of fullness for longer [2].

It can also help reduce food cravings, and quieten some of the 'food noise' that many people experience. Plus, it can help with insulin resistance, by making the body more efficient at utilising glucose [3].

There's strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of Wegovy for weight loss.

In one study, about 68% of those taking Wegovy lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared to just 21% of people on a placebo [4]. Furthermore, almost 23% of people on Wegovy lost at least 15% of their body weight, compared with 1.7% in the placebo group.

Another study found that people taking Wegovy maintained their 10% weight loss for at least 4 years — indicating that the results are lasting [5].

While Wegovy uses the same active ingredient as Ozempic, semaglutide, the two medications are approved for different uses.

Ozempic has been approved by the TGA to treat patients with type-2 diabetes.

Meanwhile, Wegovy is specifically indicated for weight loss and can be prescribed if you are obese (ie. a body mass index over 35) with a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease [6].

In some cases, you may also be prescribed Wegovy if you have a BMI of 30 to 34.9 — such as if you have an Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean background.

What is Orlistat?

Orilstat is an oral weight loss medication that can be prescribed to overweight people who may also have related health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease.

It belongs to a class of medications called lipase inhibitors, which work by preventing some of the undigested fat in foods from being absorbed in the intestines [7].

This is then removed from the body in the stool, rather than being stored as body fat.

Orlistat capsules are taken within an hour of consuming a meal containing fat, up to 3 times a day.

Ideally, your fat intake should be spread over 3 main meals. When you take the drug with a meal, about 25% of the fat you eat isn't broken down and instead, should theoretically come out in the bathroom [7].

As for what results you can expect: in clinical trials, 40% of people taking the medication while following a calorie-restricted diet and increasing physical activity lost 5% or more of their body weight within a year [8].

Can you take Wegovy and Orlistat together?

While there are no direct contradictions between Wegovy and Orlistat, there are moderate drug interactions between the two medications [9].

For example, Orlistat can impact how effectively Wegovy is absorbed by the body (and as a result, how well the medication works) and vice versa.

Taking the two together may also increase your risk of hypoglycemia — a condition in which your blood sugar levels drop below baseline, which can lead to dizziness, shakiness, and disorientation.

The two weight loss drugs have also not been extensively studied together, so there may be other interactions we do not yet know about.

Both medications also have notable gastrointestinal side effects. Wegovy can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, while Orlistat can lead to oily stools, flatulence, and frequent bowel movements [10]. Combining the two may exacerbate these symptoms, leading to significant discomfort.

So, while in some instances your medical provider may allow you to take these medications together, the potential downsides may outweigh any benefits for weight loss.

Can you switch between Wegovy and Orlistat?

While many people see great success using Wegovy for weight loss, there are several reasons someone might choose to stop taking it.

For example, some people experience side effects or find it challenging to administer the injections on a weekly basis. In this scenario, you might be wondering if you can switch to an oral medication such as Orlistat.

The short answer is: you should always consult your healthcare provider before ceasing medication or switching to another one.

How many times can you switch between weight loss medications?

There's no hard and fast answer to how many times you can switch between Wegovy, Orlistat, and any other weight loss treatment — so long as you're doing it under the guidance of a medical professional.

Your doctor will be able to look at the big picture and confirm whether they think it makes sense based on your medical history.

At the end of the day, this is your weight loss journey, and there's nothing wrong with experimenting until you find a solution that works for you and your lifestyle.

However, it's important to note that even the most effective weight loss medications in the world don't work immediately. It's important to give the treatment ample time to actually work, while your body adjusts to the drug.

For example, while you'll likely notice a reduction in appetite 1 or 2 days after first taking Wegovy, it can take at least 4 weeks to start losing weight.

The good news is, if you feel like your results are stalling with Wegovy, there are practical things you can do to boost your results — without adding another medication to your stack.

One strategy is to implement a healthy diet. This will look different for everyone, whether it's eating low-carb, following a low-fat diet or simply consuming more vegetables.

While we can fall into the habit of turning to certain foods on autopilot, many people find that they naturally crave healthier foods when taking weight loss medications. So, try to tune into what your body actually needs.

While you don't necessarily need to exercise to lose weight, you might find it helpful to incorporate more movement into your day.

Not only can regular exercise help you reach a calorie deficit (which is essential for weight loss), it has the added bonus of making you look and feel amazing.

Another simple strategy is to drink more water, as it will help keep you full for longer, and can also help you shift the water weight you may be holding onto.

Consider a holistic approach to weight management

If you're looking for a tried-and-tested method to lose weight and keep it off for good, Juniper takes the guesswork out of the process.

Our weight loss programme combines prescription medication with step-by-step coaching to set you up for success — for life.

As well as focusing on fat loss, we equip you with the skills to maintain muscle, which is crucial for preventing weight regain in the future. Our patients lose up to 20% of their body fat on average, with 92% seeing results in the first month.

You also gain access 1:1 support from dietitians and nutritionists from start to finish, so you can get personalised advice on diet and exercise that works for you.

Wondering what weight loss treatments you can access through Juniper? Check your eligibility here.

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