Orlistat
SaxendaOrlistat vs Saxenda
Saxenda (liraglutide) was discontinued in Australia in December 2025, while Orlistat remains widely available over-the-counter. Orlistat blocks fat absorption ($50-80/month, ~3-5% weight loss) while Saxenda was a daily GLP-1 injection ($370-400/month, ~8% weight loss). Orlistat remains the cheapest and most accessible weight loss medication in Australia.
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda at a Glance
| Orlistat | Saxenda | |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Lipase inhibitor | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| How taken | Oral capsule with meals (up to 3x daily) | Daily injection |
| Avg. weight loss | ~3-5% | ~8% |
| First approved | 1999 (FDA), 2000 (TGA) | 2014 (FDA), 2016 (TGA) |
| AU cost/month | $50-80 (OTC available) | Discontinued |
| PBS status | No | N/A (discontinued) |
| Prescription needed? | OTC (60mg) / Rx (120mg) | Yes |
| AU supply status | Widely available | Discontinued Dec 2025 |
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda Cost in Australia
Orlistat: $50-80 (OTC available)
Saxenda: Discontinued
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda Weight Loss Efficacy
Orlistat Clinical Trials
XENDOS
5.8kg loss vs 3kg placebo
Multiple Phase 3
~3-5% body weight reduction
Saxenda Clinical Trials
SCALE Obesity
8% weight loss vs 2.6% placebo
SCALE Maintenance
Maintained weight loss after initial diet
Clinical trial data at highest approved doses. Individual results vary.
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda Side Effects
Orlistat
Very common
- Oily/fatty stools
- Oily spotting
- Increased flatulence
- Faecal urgency
Common
- Abdominal discomfort
- Liquid stools
- Frequent bowel movements
- Headache
Serious (rare)
- Liver injury (very rare)
- Kidney stones (rare)
- Reduced fat-soluble vitamin absorption (A,D,E,K)
- May affect absorption of some medications
Saxenda
Very common
- Nausea (39%)
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
Common
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
- Dyspepsia
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Serious (rare)
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Increased heart rate
- Thyroid tumour risk (animal data)
- Acute kidney injury
Compare How Orlistat and Saxenda Work
Orlistat
Lipase inhibitor
Completely different mechanism to GLP-1 drugs. Inhibits gastric and pancreatic lipase enzymes, preventing approximately 30% of dietary fat from being absorbed. Unabsorbed fat passes through the digestive system. Does not affect appetite or the brain. Most effective with a reduced-fat diet.
Saxenda
GLP-1 receptor agonist
First-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss. Same mechanism as Ozempic/Wegovy (appetite reduction, slowed gastric emptying) but requires daily injection and produces less weight loss than semaglutide.
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda Dosing Schedule
Orlistat
Oral capsule with meals (up to 3x daily)
| Dose | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 60mg OTC | With each meal | Up to 3 capsules/day |
| 120mg Rx | With each meal | Up to 3 capsules/day |
Saxenda
Daily injection
| Dose | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0.6mg | Week 1 | Starting dose (daily) |
| 1.2mg | Week 2 | Escalation |
| 1.8mg | Week 3 | Escalation |
| 2.4mg | Week 4 | Escalation |
| 3mg | Week 5+ | Maintenance dose |
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda Australian Regulatory Status
Orlistat
Saxenda
Full Orlistat profile
View Orlistat DetailsFull Saxenda profile
View Saxenda DetailsCompare Other Medications
This website is for informational and research purposes only. We are not medical professionals and nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor or specialist before making any decisions about medication.
The weight loss medication landscape in Australia is changing rapidly. Information on this page may become outdated without notice. Data sourced from the TGA, FDA, MHRA, NICE, PBAC, Australian Prescriber, Obesity Evidence Hub, and clinical trial publications. Last reviewed March 2026.