Overweight

1 medicine

Overweight means carrying more body fat than is healthy for your height, defined by a body mass index between 25 and 29.9. Lifestyle change is the foundation of treatment, with medicines such as orlistat used when needed.

Xenical

Orlistat

60/120mg

Xenical is a weight loss medication containing Orlistat, available as 60/120mg tablets.

from $0.81 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Overweight means carrying more body fat than is healthy for your height. It sits on the spectrum between a healthy weight and obesity, defined by a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9.
  • Energy imbalance is the core driver: the body stores excess calories as fat when intake consistently exceeds what is burned; genetics, hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism, certain medicines, poor sleep, and high-stress lifestyles all tip that balance.
  • Sustained lifestyle change, smaller portions, whole foods over refined carbohydrates, and regular movement, is the foundation of treatment; weight loss medicines such as orlistat may help when lifestyle change alone is not enough.
  • If your weight is affecting blood pressure, blood sugar, or joints, a doctor can assess whether further investigation or treatment is needed.

Why weight accumulates

Energy imbalance is the core driver: the body stores excess calories as fat when intake consistently exceeds what is burned. Genetics, hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism, certain medicines, poor sleep, and high-stress lifestyles all tip that balance. Diets rich in ultra-processed foods and sedentary work make overweight increasingly common.

Managing overweight

Sustained lifestyle change is the foundation. Reducing portion sizes, choosing whole foods over refined carbohydrates, and building regular movement into the day produce meaningful results over months rather than weeks. When lifestyle adjustments alone are not enough, weight loss medicines may help. Orlistat works in the gut to block roughly a third of dietary fat from being absorbed, supporting calorie reduction when combined with a lower-fat diet.

When to see a doctor

If your weight is affecting blood pressure, blood sugar, or joints, a doctor can assess whether further investigation or treatment is needed. A doctor can also check for underlying causes, such as a thyroid problem, before recommending a plan.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.