Xenical Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Orlistat (Xenical®) is used to help obese people lose weight and keep the weight off while eating a reduced-calorie diet. Orlistat decreases the amount of fat that is absorbed from your diet. Generic orlistat capsules are not yet available. Xenical blocks absorption of dietary fat into the bloodstream, thereby reducing the number of calories you get from a meal. At the usual dosage level, it cuts fat absorption by almost one-third. Combined with a low-calorie diet, it is used to promote weight loss and discourage the return of unwanted pounds.

The drug is prescribed for obese individuals and for overweight people who have other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels. Your weight status is determined by your body mass index (BMI), a comparison of height to weight.

Xenical Dosage

• The recommended dose is one 120-milligram capsule 3 times daily with each main meal containing fat.

Uses of Xenical

• Xenical is used to help obese people who fit certain weight and height requirements lose weight and maintain weight loss.
• Xenical is used in the management of obesity including weight loss and weight maintenance when used with a reduced-calorie diet.
• Xenical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Xenical

Side effects of Xenical are more common during the first year of treatment. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Xenical. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal discomfort or pain
• anxiety
• arthritis
• back pain
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• earache
• fatigue
• fatty or oily stools
• fecal urgency or incontinence
• flu
• gas with fecal discharge
• gum problems
• headache
• increased defecation
• menstrual problems
• muscle pain
• nausea
• oily discharge
• rectal discomfort or pain
• respiratory tract infections
• skin rash
• sleep problems

Warnings and precautions before taking Xenical:

• Weight loss begins within 2 weeks and continues for 6 to 12 months. The effect of using Xenical for more than 2 years is still unknown.
• Side effects such as diarrhea and abdominal pain may be worse if you continue eating a high fat diet or even take a high-fat meal. Limit your fat intake.
• Your doctor will test your thyroid function before starting you on Xenical to make sure that your weight problem is not due to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Xenical is not an appropriate remedy for this problem.
• Xenical increases the likelihood of kidney stones. Use it with caution if you have a history of this problem.
• If you have diabetes, weight-loss is likely to reduce your blood sugar levels. If you're taking an oral diabetes medication or insulin, your dose may have to be reduced.
• Xenical can decrease the absorption some fat-soluble vitamins and beta-carotene. Therefore when being treated with Xenical, take a 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 bedtime.
• Cases of rectal bleeding have been reported with Xenical. Prescribers should investigate further in case of severe and/or persistent symptoms.

Drug Interaction :- If Xenical is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Xenical with the following:

• Cyclosporine (Neoral and Sandimmune)
  
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

Overdose

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of an Xenical overdose are not known.