Drug Name

Xenical (Orlistat)

Drug Uses

Xenical (Orlistat) is a world recognized and proven by millions of people, suffering from obesity, in its ability to manage adiposis in adult and adolescent patients, age 12 and older.

How to use

Use Xenical as directed by your doctor.

• Read the chart on the medicine package. You may consider starting Xenical if your weight is the same or more than the weight shown for your height. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• If a meal is missed or contains no fat, do not take a dose of Xenical.
• Take Xenical by mouth with each meal containing fat. Do not take more than 3 capsules daily.
• Xenical may decrease your absorption of vitamins. Take a multivitamin once a day at bedtime.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Xenical is a weight loss medication that targets the absorption of fat in your body rather than suppressing your appetite. This is useful for long-term use, and proven to be effective for 1-2 years. Dietary fats are inhibited from absorption, and this gives about 30% of the fat eaten in food through the gut undigested. This will reduce and maintain your weight as well as to minimize any weight regain. 

Xenical can also help to improve risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar, which if not addressed can lead to other diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Xenical, take it as soon as you remember. Continue to take it as directed by your doctor.

Storage

Store Xenical at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Keep Xenical out of the reach of children. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep in a tight, light-resistant container.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Xenical if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Xenical;
• you have problems absorbing food or bile flow problems (e.g., cholestasis);
• you are not overweight;
• you take cyclosporine.
• you have received an organ transplant;

• Do not take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. Taking more than the recommended dose may not help you lose more weight. It may increase your risk of side effects.
• Xenical may cause changes in your bowel or stool (e.g., gas with oily spotting, loose stools, more frequent stools). Eating a low-fat diet may help lessen these side effects.
• Proper diet and exercise are important in order to lose weight and keep it off. Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not take Xenical if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. It is not known if Xenical is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Xenical.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Xenical before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Xenical should not be used in children younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Diabetes patients - Xenical may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Possible Side Effects

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe or persistent stomach pain.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• diarrhea; gas with discharge; frequent or loose stools; oily spotting; trouble controlling bowel movements.

More Information

Xenical is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.