Xenical (Orlistat) is used with a reduced-calorie diet to help significantly overweight persons lose weight. It also helps to prevent regaining weight previously lost. Orlistat works by blocking some of the fat normally digested by the intestine.
Xenical is also known as Orlistat, Tetrahydrolipstatin.
Why do some drugs have different names?
These are trade or brand names registered by the manufacturer. In different countries manufacturers will often use different trade names. The medications have the same active ingredients, but may look different and have a different trade name.
Drug Uses Xenical is used to help obese people who fit certain weight and height requirements lose weight and maintain weight loss. Xenical works in your intestines, where it blocks some of the fat you eat from being absorbed. This undigested fat is then eliminated in your bowel movements. Use Xenical together with a reduced-calorie diet. The weight management effects of Xenical continue only as long as you are taking it.
How Taken Xenical comes in a capsule to take it orally. It is usually taken tree times a day with food. Take Xenical exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Xenical should be given with meals. A diet consisting of daily intake of fat (30% of total calories), carbohydrates, and protein should be distributed evenly over 3 main meals.
Warnings/Precautions
Do not take Xenical without first talking to your doctor if you have a chronic malabsorption syndrome, or gallbladder problems. You may not be able to take Xenical if you have any of the conditions listed above. Before taking Xenical, talk to your doctor if you have a history of kidney stones, have diabetes, have anorexia or bulimia, take any other weight-loss medicine, or take cyclosporine. You may not be able to take Xenical, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Xenical is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not take Xenical without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Xenical passes into breast milk. Do not take Xenical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose resume taking Xenical at the next meal. Do not try to make up the loss with a double dose. The extra drug will not help.
