Can You Take Mounjaro or Wegovy with Orlistat or Xenical?

Mounjaro, Orlistat, Wegovy and Xenical are all licensed weight loss and weight management medications in the UK but we often get asked - can you take any of them together and is it safe to do so?

Can you take multiple medications, like Mounjaro & Orlistat, for weight loss?

While there are no confirmed drug-drug interactions between Mounjaro, Orlistat, Wegovy and Xenical, it is not recommended using Orlistat or Xenical alongside GLP-1 weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy.

In this post, we’ll explore why. We’ll look at how each medication works and the potential risks of taking both together – including worsening of side effects and an increased risk of nutrient deficiencies.

Mounjaro/Wegovy and Orlistat/Xenical: How They Work

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) / Wegovy (Semaglutide): Known as GLP-1 Receptor Agonist medications, Mounjaro & Wegovy are a weekly weight loss injection that work by mimicking a key hunger hormones - glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) - whilst Mounjaro also mimics the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).

By mimicking these hormones, these medications help to:

• Suppress Your Appetite: by slowing digestion, helping you feel full quicker and stay feeling fuller for longer, which naturally reduces food intake.

• Improve Blood Sugar Control: they also help the pancreas release insulin in response to meals. By slowing your digestion, it helps regulate post-meal blood sugar spikes by allowing your body to absorb glucose more gradually.

Studies show Mounjaro is highly effective for weight loss. At the highest dose (15 mg), participants in one study lost an average of 20.9% of their total body weight over 72 weeks.

Orlistat/Xenical: Orlistat & Xenical are a weight loss medication, which is taken three times a day. It has been licensed in the UK since 1998.

Unlike Mounjaro and Wegovy, Orlistat and Xenical do not affect appetite or blood sugar regulation. They work by blocking the action of enzymes, called lipase, that break down dietary fat in foods. In blocking these enzymes, orlistat prevents fat from being digested.

As a result, absorption of fat is reduced by around 30%. This leads to fewer calories absorbed by the body, which is an essential part of weight loss.

Mounjaro has taken the weight loss world by storm

Mounjaro/Wegovy and Orlistat/Xenical: Can I Take Them at the Same Time?

We advise that you do not use Mounjaro or Wegovy alongside Orlistat or Xenical, as their effects on weight loss and digestion can overlap. This could lead to excessive weight loss and increased side effects.

Mounjaro & Wegovy already suppress your appetite. So when you take it alongside Orlistat or Xenical – which prevents your body from absorbing fat – it increases your risk of nutritional deficiencies. Getting enough nutrients is crucial for maintaining essential bodily functions, like metabolism, circulation and digestion.

It is vital to approach weight management with the appropriate advice & support, without combining different weight loss medications. This will ensure your nutritional needs are met. While there are no known direct interactions between them, their combined use has not been extensively studied, so the effects are not as well documented.

Potential Risks

Hypoglycaemia (Low Blood Sugar): If you are using other medications to treat type 2 diabetes, weight loss can increase your sensitivity to insulin, which may lead to hypoglycaemia. If you experience significant weight loss, you may need to adjust your Mounjaro or Wegovy dose.

Vitamin Deficiencies: Orlistat & Xenical reduce fat absorption, which could impact the body’s ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and some medications. As Mounjaro & Wegovy reduce appetite and calorie intake, taking them together could increase your risk of vitamin deficiencies over time.

Side Effects From Both Drugs: Both Mounjaro/Wegovy and Orlistat/Xenical are associated with gastrointestinal side effects (in the stomach). Mounjaro & Wegovy can cause nausea, constipation and diarrhoea, while Orlistat & Xenical may lead to oily stools, bloating and diarrhoea. Some people experience digestive discomfort when combining both types of medications, especially with high-fat meals.

Potential Impact on Other Medications: Because Orlistat & Xenical reduce fat absorption, it may also affect how certain fat-soluble medications work.

This includes:

• Oral contraceptives – effectiveness may be reduced in some cases.

• Blood thinners (e.g. warfarin) – vitamin K levels may be altered.

• Certain thyroid and immunosuppressant medications – absorption could be affected.

This list is not comprehensive, and other interactions may also occur.

Orlistat has been around since the late 90s

Taking Mounjaro and Orlistat Safely

We do not recommend taking Mounjaro/Wegovy alongside Orlistat/Xenical. You should avoid using them together unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional who is prescribing you both of these medications.

If you do take them together, you will have to monitor your vitamin levels and consider supplements. Take supplements at least two hours before or after orlistat to ensure they are adequately absorbed, especially vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Seek guidance from a healthcare professional if you experience any unpleasant side effects or experience rapid weight loss. If you have diabetes, regularly monitor your blood sugar levels and consult your doctor to determine if you need to change your dose.

Take a Long-Term, Balanced Approach to Weight Loss

If you are thinking of taking Orlistat or Xenical to help speed up the rate at which you lose weight on Mounjaro or Wegovy, it’s important to remember Mounjaro & Wegovy are long-term treatment options. Aim for steady and sustainable weight loss of 1-2 lbs per week rather than focusing on fast results.

Mounjaro and Wegovy are most effective when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Try to make small, manageable lifestyle changes – like adding a 20-minute walk to your day or swapping sugary snacks for whole-food alternatives.

Key Points

• No confirmed interactions but it is not recommended using both types of medication together: There are no known direct interactions between Mounjaro or Wegovy and Orlistat or Xenical. But it’s likely the combined effect of the medications will make the negative aspect of each treatment worse. It will increase your risk of malnutrition and side effects.

• They have different mechanisms, but effects can overlap: Mounjaro & Wegovy regulate blood sugar and appetite, whilst Orlistat & Xenical block fat absorption. However, their similar effects on digestion and weight loss may require close monitoring.

• Increased risk of side effects: Both medications can cause gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, bloating, and diarrhoea. While these are common side effects, they may worsen when taken together.

• Nutrient absorption concerns: Orlistat & Xenical reduce fat absorption, which can impact the intake of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), potentially exacerbated by the appetite suppression caused by Mounjaro and Wegovy.