What is
Xenical
Xenical is an
oral prescription weight loss medication used to help significantly overweight
people lose weight and keep this weight off. Xenical should be used together
with a reduced-calorie diet.
How does
Xenical work?
When you eat
fat, your body breaks it down into its simplest components so that it can be
absorbed. Enzymes in your intestinal tract, called lipases, help digest (or
breakdown) fat. When you take Xenical with meals, Xenical attaches to the
lipases and blocks them from breaking down some of the fat you have eaten. The
undigested fat cannot be absorbed and is eliminated in your bowel movements.
This way, Xenical helps block about 30% of the fat eaten in food from being
absorbed by your body.
Who
should use Xenical
Xenical is
recommended for people who are considerably overweight (at least 30% above ideal
weight or a body mass index of 30 or greater). Xenical may also be used by
overweight people (at least 20% above ideal weight or a body mass index of 27 or
greater) and also have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, heart disease, or diabetes.
What is
BMI?
The most
widely used measurement of obesity has been the Body Mass Index or
BMI.
It is calculated as the weight in Kilograms divided by the square of
the height in meters
This value is independent of age or sex.
Its use is not
intended for children, pregnant women and very muscular individuals such as
athletes.
Who
should not use Xenical?
Xenical should
not be taken if you are pregnant or nursing, have food absorption problems such
as chronic malabsorption syndrome. If you suffer from gall bladder problems or
have ever had an allergic reaction to orlistat or any of the inactive
ingredients in Xenical.
Consult your
doctor before using Xenical if you suffer from hypothyroid or are taking
cyclosporine.
What
should I tell my doctor before taking
Xenical?
Before
beginning treatment with Xenical, make sure your doctor knows if you are:
- Allergic to
any medicines, foods, or dyes.
- Taking any
other weight-loss medication.
- Taking
cyclosporine.
- Taking any
other medicines (including those not prescribed by your doctor)
- Taking any
dietary supplements, including herbal products
- Planning to
become pregnant
- Suffer from
eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
This
information will help you and your physician decide if the expected advantages
of Xenical are greater than any possible disadvantages.
How much
and when?
The
recommended dose is one 120 mg capsule taken orally with liquid at each main
meal that contains fat. You may take Xenical in conjunction with a mildly
reduced-calorie diet up to 3 times a day. Xenical should be taken during meals
or up to one hour after a meal. If you miss a meal or it contains no fat, the
dose of Xenical may be omitted.
You should use
Xenical together with a nutritionally balanced, calorie-controlled diet that is
rich in fruit and vegetables and contains no more than about 30% of calories
from fat. You should evenly divide your daily intake of fat, carbohydrates, and
protein over 3 main meals.
If you forget
to take your medication at any time, take it as soon as you remember provided
this is within one hour of your last meal, then continue to take it at the usual
times. Do not take a double dose. If you miss several doses, please inform your
doctor and follow the advise given to you.
Should I
take a multivitamin with Xenical?
Xenical
interferes with your body’s absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins. Therefore,
when you use Xenical, you should take a daily multivitamin supplement that
contains vitamins D, E, K, and beta-carotene. Take your multivitamin once a day
at least 2 hours before or after taking Xenical, such as at bedtime.
What are
the most common side effects of Xenical?
Because
Xenical works by blocking the absorption of dietary fat, it is likely that you
will experience some changes in bowel habits. These generally occur at the
beginning of treatment and may include oily spotting, gas with discharge, urgent
need to go to the bathroom, oily or fatty stools, an oily discharge, increased
number of bowel movements, and inability to control bowel movements. Due to the
presence of undigested fat, the oil seen in a bowel movement may be clear or
have coloration such as orange or brown.
Maintaining
the recommended dietary regimen containing no more than 30% of calories from fat
may minimize the occurrence of these events.
Where do
I keep it?
Store at
controlled room temperature 59° to 86° F (15° to 30° C)
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