Alli, the brand name of the medication orlistat, is an over-the-counter weight loss aid. It works by blocking some of the fat in foods from being absorbed by the body. Although this medication can interact negatively with other prescription medications, it has not been shown to negatively interact with birth-control pills, according to the official Alli website. Women should feel comfortable taking Alli pills while taking birth-control pills, but talk to a doctor about specific questions or concerns.
Alli Instructions
Step 1
Purchase Alli from a drugstore or supermarket. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you have any specific questions or concerns about how to take the medication appropriately.
Step 2
Take one pill within one hour after each meal that contains fat. Do not take Alli if you eat a meal that does not contain fat. Alli is typically taken three times a day, according to Drugs.com.
Step 3
Read the labels of all the food you eat. Keep the fat content of the foods you eat to less than 30 percent of your total caloric intake for the day, according to the Alli website. For example, if you eat 2,000 calories each day, fewer than 600 of those calories should be from fat.
Step 4
Ask a doctor for advice if you experience any side effects from the Alli pills. Since most of the side effects are related to the way you take the product, according to the Alli website, ask a doctor about lifestyle modifications you can make to reduce or eliminate these side effects.
Birth Control Pill Instructions
Step 1
See a doctor for a prescription. Discuss the potential risks and benefits of birth control pills, and ask any questions you may have about how to properly take your specific brand. Ask your doctor which day you should begin taking the medication.
Step 2
Select a start date. Most women begin taking the pill on the first day they begin menstrual bleeding or on the Sunday after the first day of menstrual bleeding, but always follow the specific recommendations of your doctor.
Step 3
Take each active pill at the same time each day. Set an alarm or incorporate taking the pill into an existing routine, such as before or after brushing your teeth, to help you remember to take the pill each day.
Step 4
Monitor your body for side effects. Although spotting and nausea are common during the first several months of taking the pill, call a doctor if these or any other side effects are particularly bothersome or persistent.
