Orlistat (and Xenical) — UK price comparison
What orlistat and Xenical cost from GPhC-registered UK online pharmacies: monthly prices, generic vs branded vs lower dose, and NHS availability.
Prices checked: 10 July 2026· Indicative treatment-service prices, not quotes
At a glance
- Typical private cost: £30–£90 per month — generic orlistat 120mg costs least, branded Xenical most
- Orlistat 120mg is prescription-only; a consultation is required, with criteria typically BMI 30+, or 28+ with risk factors
- A lower-strength 60mg version (alli) is available from pharmacies without a prescription after a pharmacist consultation
- A capsule taken with main meals — works by blocking around a third of dietary fat absorption, so it suits a different profile than injectable treatments
- Available on the NHS via GP prescription where criteria are met — you pay at most the standard prescription charge
- Only use GPhC-registered pharmacies — check pharmacyregulation.org before ordering
Typical private cost
£30 – £90/month
per month (84 capsules, three daily with meals); generic costs least, branded Xenical most
Which pharmacies offer Orlistat — and whose price is on file?
7 GPhC-registered services listed. None have a verified published price on file yet — empty cells are honest, not a ranking. We never invent a figure to fill a cell. Ordering is always subject to the pharmacy's own consultation. See how treatment prices work.
Swipe to see all columns
| Pharmacy | Service price | What's included | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Online PharmacyGPhC premises no. 9011287View profile & rating | Not on fileWe do not invent a price. Confirm on the pharmacy’s site. | Online consultation · Prescriber review · Delivery | Visit pharmacy |
| Chemist4UGPhC premises no. 9012464View profile & rating | Not on fileWe do not invent a price. Confirm on the pharmacy’s site. | Online consultation · Prescriber review · Delivery | Visit pharmacy |
| Pharmacy2UGPhC premises no. 9010146View profile & rating | Not on fileWe do not invent a price. Confirm on the pharmacy’s site. | Online consultation · Prescriber review · Delivery | Visit pharmacy |
| Superdrug Online DoctorGPhC premises no. 9010736View profile & rating | Not on fileWe do not invent a price. Confirm on the pharmacy’s site. | Online consultation · Clinician review · Delivery | Visit pharmacy |
| MedExpressGPhC premises no. 9012633View profile & rating | Not on fileWe do not invent a price. Confirm on the pharmacy’s site. | Online consultation · Prescriber review · Delivery | Visit partnerAd – Affiliate |
| Oxford Online Pharmacy | Not on fileWe do not invent a price. Confirm on the pharmacy’s site. | Online consultation · Prescriber review · Delivery | Visit pharmacy |
| NumanGPhC premises no. 9011408View profile & rating | Not on fileWe do not invent a price. Confirm on the pharmacy’s site. | Online consultation · Prescriber or pharmacist review · Delivery | Visit pharmacy |
Pick My Pharmacy is an independent comparison service and not a pharmacy. Where a listing is a referral partner we may earn a commission when you visit them — this never changes prices you pay, ratings, or the order providers appear. Affiliate links use rel="sponsored" and are labelled “Ad – Affiliate”. For Prescription Only Medicines we promote the pharmacy’s clinical service, not a specific medicine, in line with the MHRA Blue Guide. See our affiliate compliance.
What the price covers
Online pharmacies price orlistat as a treatment service: the monthly figure usually includes the online consultation, prescriber review, an 84-capsule month of treatment, and delivery. The main price lever is brand: generic orlistat 120mg and branded Xenical 120mg contain the same active ingredient at the same dose, so the generic is the like-for-like cheaper option at every pharmacy that stocks both. As always, confirm what's included — a low headline price with a separate consultation fee can cost more overall.
Who can be prescribed orlistat
Orlistat 120mg is licensed for weight management alongside a mildly reduced-calorie, lower-fat diet, typically for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 28 or more with risk factors such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. The pharmacy consultation checks eligibility, other medicines, and conditions that make it unsuitable. The 60mg strength (alli) can be sold by a pharmacist without a prescription to adults with a BMI of 28 or more, after an in-person or online pharmacist consultation — a legitimate lower-cost first step for some people.
NHS availability
Unlike the newer injectable treatments, orlistat has long been available on the NHS: GPs can prescribe it where the licensed criteria are met and local guidance supports it. On the NHS you pay at most the standard prescription charge per item (£9.90 in England; free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) — substantially less than private treatment — so ask your GP first if you meet the criteria.
Side effects and practicalities
Orlistat's side effects follow from how it works: unabsorbed fat can cause oily stools, urgency, and wind, particularly after high-fat meals — which is why it's paired with a lower-fat diet. It can also reduce absorption of some vitamins and interact with certain medicines, which the consultation screens for. Report suspected side effects via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. This page compares prices only — it is not medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy orlistat without a prescription?▼
The 120mg strength is prescription-only — a consultation is required. The 60mg strength (alli) can be supplied by a pharmacist without a prescription to adults with a BMI of 28 or more, after a consultation. Any site selling 120mg with no consultation is not operating legally.
Is generic orlistat as good as Xenical?▼
Generic orlistat 120mg contains the same active ingredient at the same dose as Xenical and must meet the same regulatory standards — the difference is price. Comparing the generic across pharmacies is usually the cheapest like-for-like option.
Can I get orlistat on the NHS?▼
Yes — GPs can prescribe orlistat where you meet the licensed criteria and local guidance supports it, costing at most the standard NHS prescription charge. Ask your GP before paying privately.
How does orlistat compare with Wegovy or Mounjaro?▼
They work completely differently: orlistat is a capsule that reduces fat absorption, while Wegovy and Mounjaro are weekly appetite-regulating injections. Effectiveness, side effects, and price differ substantially — which is suitable for you is a clinical decision made in the consultation, not a price decision.
Why does a pharmacy on this Orlistat (and Xenical) table have no price?▼
We only publish a provider price when we have verified it against that pharmacy’s own published treatment-service page, with a checked date. A blank cell means the figure is not on file — not that the service is free, and not that we ranked the pharmacy last. Confirm the live price on the pharmacy’s site. Pharmacies can submit a published figure when they claim a listing; payment never fills a cell.
Can a pharmacy pay to rank higher for Orlistat (and Xenical)?▼
No. Payment buys labelled visibility and qualified enquiries, never a better score or a higher row on this table. Referral links are labelled “Ad – Affiliate” and use rel="sponsored". See our methodology.
Compare other treatments
Related Pages
Not sure private treatment is the right route?
NHS weight-management support is free where you qualify, but access is phased. Check your BMI, ask your GP about local eligibility, then compare regulated private services if NHS routes are closed to you.