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WAYT-less® Explained: What Is in It and What to Know Before Starting

Constance Tambakis-Odom, MD
Constance Tambakis-Odom, MD / Reviewed January 2025 / 4 min read

WAYT-less® is a provider-guided program from Nu Image built around an oral prescription and a structured daily plan. People often ask what is actually in it and how it differs from injectable options. This article answers those questions in a fact-sheet format, one ingredient at a time, followed by the safety points to go over with a provider. It is educational and does not replace medical advice.

The program at a glance

  • Format: Tablets taken by mouth
  • Type: Compounded prescription medication
  • Ingredients: Low-dose naltrexone, acarbose, and orlistat
  • Also included: Provider guidance and the Wellness Guide eBook, which sets out a daily structure for meals and routines
  • Stimulants: None
  • GLP-1 medication: None

A licensed provider decides whether the program is appropriate after reviewing your health history.

Ingredient 1: Orlistat

What it is. A medication that works in the digestive tract, where it blocks part of the fat in food from being absorbed. It acts locally in the gut and very little enters the bloodstream.

FDA status. Orlistat is the active ingredient in FDA-approved products sold separately. As part of the compounded WAYT-less formula, it is not FDA-approved.

What to know. Because unabsorbed fat passes through the body, digestive effects are common, especially after high-fat meals. These include oily or loose stools, gas, and urgency. Orlistat can also reduce absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, so providers usually recommend a daily multivitamin taken at a different time of day.

Ingredient 2: Acarbose

What it is. A medication that slows the breakdown of starches and sugars in the small intestine, so glucose from a meal enters the bloodstream more gradually.

FDA status. Acarbose is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved product for type 2 diabetes. As part of the compounded WAYT-less formula, it is not FDA-approved.

What to know. Gas, bloating, and loose stools are the most common effects, particularly at the start. If you also take diabetes medication and develop low blood sugar, it must be treated with glucose tablets or gel, because acarbose slows the absorption of table sugar.

Ingredient 3: Low-dose naltrexone

What it is. Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors in the brain. "Low dose" means an amount well below that of standard naltrexone tablets.

FDA status. Naltrexone is FDA-approved at standard doses for alcohol and opioid dependence. Low-dose use is not an FDA-approved use, and the compounded WAYT-less formula is not FDA-approved.

What to know. Naltrexone must not be combined with opioid medications, including many prescription pain relievers and some cough medicines. It blocks their effect and can trigger withdrawal in people who use opioids regularly. Tell every clinician who treats you that you take it, especially before surgery or a dental procedure. Possible side effects include nausea, headache, and changes in sleep or dreams.

Who should not use it

Tell your provider if any of the following apply. Some rule the program out, and others call for extra caution.

  • You take opioid pain medication or are being treated for opioid dependence
  • You are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding
  • You have a digestive condition such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic malabsorption, or a history of bowel obstruction
  • You have liver disease, gallbladder problems, or kidney stones
  • You take thyroid medication, blood thinners, cyclosporine, seizure medication, or diabetes medication
  • You have a history of an eating disorder

How it differs from GLP-1 programs

WAYT-less contains no GLP-1 medication. It is taken by mouth, and its ingredients act mainly in the digestive tract and on brain receptors, through pathways different from those of semaglutide or tirzepatide.

Neither approach is better for everyone. A provider considers your history, medications, and preferences, including whether you would rather avoid injections, before recommending one, the other, or neither.

Making the program easier to follow

  • Keep meals moderate in fat. High-fat meals are the main trigger for digestive side effects.
  • Take your multivitamin as directed, separated from your doses.
  • Follow the eBook structure. It is designed to give you a clear daily routine.
  • Increase fiber and fluids gradually.
  • Report side effects early. Your provider can adjust the plan.

When to get medical help

Contact your care team if digestive effects are severe or do not ease. Seek urgent care for yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe abdominal pain, or signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or trouble breathing.

Questions to ask your provider

  1. Is this program appropriate with my medical history and current medications?
  2. How and when should I take the tablets in relation to meals?
  3. Which side effects should I expect in the first weeks?
  4. How will my progress and tolerance be reviewed?
  5. What are my options if this program does not suit me?

Starting an evaluation

Nu Image offers online evaluations with licensed providers. A provider reviews your health information and decides whether WAYT-less or another option is appropriate for you.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. WAYT-less® is a compounded prescription medication. Compounded medications are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies and are not reviewed or approved by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or quality. Prescription products require an online consultation with a licensed healthcare provider, who will determine whether a prescription is appropriate.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.

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