Xenical is used with a low-calorie diet to help you lose weight and
to maintain your weight after weight loss. Xenical is used in patients
with a certain weight who may also have high blood pressure, diabetes,
high cholesterol, or heart disease. Orlistat is in a class of drugs
called lipase inhibitors. It works in your intestines, where it blocks
some of the fat you eat from being absorbed and disgested. This undigested
fat is then removed in your bowel movements (BM).
Orlistat
is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist
for more information.
How should Xenical be used?
Xenical comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is
usually taken three times a day with each main meal that contains
fat. Each time you take Orlistat, your meal should contain no more
than about 30% of calories from fat. Take Xenical during or up to
1 hour after a meal. If a meal is missed or does not have fat, you
may skip your dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label
carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you
do not understand. Take Orlistat exactly as directed. Do not take
more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Before
taking Xenical, -- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic
to Xenical or any other drugs.
-- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
drugs you are taking, especially anticoagulants (''blood thinners'')
such as warfarin (Coumadin); medications for diabetes, such as glipizide
(Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Dynase, Micronase), metformin (Glucophage),
and insulin; other medications for weight loss; pravastatin (Pravachol);
vitamins such as beta-carotene and vitamins A, E, and K; and herbal
products. If you are taking cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), take
it 2 hours before or 2 hours after Orlistat.
-- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had anorexia nervosa
or bulimia, gallstones, thyroid disease, diabetes, kidney problems,
or if you consistently have problems absorbing food (malabsorption
syndrome).
-- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it unless it is more
than 1 hour since you ate a main meal. If it is longer than 1 hour
since you ate a main meal, skip the missed dose and continue on your
regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for
a missed one.
What
side effects can Xenical cause?
The most common side effect of Xenical is changes in bowel movement
(BM) habits. This generally occurs during the first weeks of treatment;
however, it may continue throughout your use of Orlistat. Tell your
doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- oily, spotting BMs
- gas with discharge
- urgent need to have a BM
- oily or fatty stools
- an oily discharge
- increased number of BMs
- inability to control BMs
- orange or brown color of a BM
- stomach pain
- irregular menstrual periods
If you experience any of the following symptoms,
call your doctor immediately:
- itching
- redness of skin
- skin rash or hives
- swelling
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- fever What storage conditions are needed for Xenical?
Keep Orlistat in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out
of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from
excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication
that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about
the proper disposal of your medication.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor. Read the patient
information before starting treatment with Xenical and each time
you refill Orlistat.
You should also follow a program of regular physical
activity, such as walking. However, before you start any new activity
or exercise program, talk with your doctor or health care professional.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask
your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
