Xenical
Generic Name:
Orlistat
Typical Brand Name(s): Xenical
What Is It Used For?
Xenical (Orlistat) is a drug that promotes loss of weight by preventing
the digestion and absorption of dietary fat. In the intestine, an
enzyme called lipase (produced primarily by the pancreas) breaks
apart dietary fat so that the fat can be absorbed into the body.
Xenical Diet Pills blocks the action of lipase and thereby prevents the breakup
and absorption of fat. The unabsorbed fat is excreted through the
stool.
How Is It Used?
The recommended dose of Xenical is one 120-mg
capsule three times a day with each main meal containing fat (during
or up to 1 hour after the meal).
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The patient should be on a nutritionally balanced, reduced-calorie diet that contains approximately 30% of calories from fat. The daily intake of fat, carbohydrate, and protein should be distributed over three main meals. If a meal is occasionally missed or contains no fat, the dose of orlistat (Xenical) can be omitted.
What are the benefits?
Xenical (Orlistat) is used to help obese people lose weight and keep the weight off while eating a reduced-calorie diet. Xenical Diet Pills decreases the amount of fat that is absorbed from your diet.
Are There Possible Side
Effects?
The most common side effects of orlistat are oily spotting on underwear,
flatulence, urgent bowel movements, fatty or oily stools, increased
number of bowel movements, abdominal pain or discomfort, and inability
to hold back stool (incontinence). Between 1 in 250 and 1 in 70
patients experienced one or more of these symptoms in the first
year. Generally, the side effects occurred within three months of
starting therapy. In about 50% of patients, the side effects resolved
within one to four weeks, but the effects in some patients lasted
six months or longer. To reduce the occurrence of these side effects,
meals should contain no more than 30% fat because it is the unabsorbed
fat that causes most of the symptoms.
Is It Safe?
Patients should be strongly encouraged to take
a multivitamin supplement that contains fat-soluble vitamins to
ensure adequate nutrition because orlistat has been shown to reduce
the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins and beta-carotene. In
addition, the levels of vitamin D and beta-carotene may be low in
obese patients compared with non-obese subjects. The supplement
should be taken once a day at least 2 hours before or after the
administration of orlistat, such as at bedtime.
What About Interactions
With Other Drugs?
The blood thinning effect of warfarin
(Coumadin) depends on the amount of vitamin K in the body, and vitamin
K is one of the vitamins that binds to fat. Patients receiving warfarin
who begin orlistat should have their blood clotting monitored closely
because orlistat may cause levels of vitamin K to decline. This
will increase the effects of warfarin and lead to abnormal bleeding
from the warfarin. There is no evidence that a deficiency of vitamin
K occurs in patients who are taking orlistat. Orlistat may reduce
the absorption and blood levels of cyclosporine (Sandimmune) when
both drugs are administered together. Therefore, cyclosporine should
be administered two hours before or after orlistat, and more frequent
monitoring of cyclosporine levels may be needed.
Things to be done in case
of Overdose
The results of a massive overdose of this drug are unknown, although
the drug seems relatively harmless. However, any medication taken
in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose,
seek medical attention.
What If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose up to one hour after a meal. If more than one
hour has passed since your last meal, skip the dose you missed and
take only your next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not
take a double dose of this medication. If you miss a meal, or if
you have a meal without fat, you can skip your dose of orlistat
for that meal also.
How Should It Be Stored?
Store tablets and capsules at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F)
Anything Else I Should
Know?
Along with dietary fat, Xenical decreases the absorption of some
fat-soluble vitamins and beta-carotene. To compensate, you should
take a multivitamin containing vitamins A, E, D, and K once a day,
at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Xenical.
NOTE: The above information
is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and
judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product
is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare
professional before taking the product.
