Xenical

(Orlistat, Tetrahydrolipstatin, Obelit )

Xenical Review

Xenical (active ingredient, Orlistat; Orlistat is marketed under the trade name Xenical by Roche), is indicated for weight loss and weight maintenance when used in conjunction with a modest calorie-reduced diet. It is one of the new obesity drugs approved by the FDA for long term treatment of obesity.

Because it operates on the digestive system, rather than the brain or nervous system, it is particularly safe for patients suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. In fact, Xenical is the only drug approved for the treatment of obesity in high-risk patients. In addition, it is also the only weight loss medication to receive FDA-approval for use in the treatment of obese teenagers.

Xenical has been extensively studied. In clinical trials, almost twice as many patients who received Xenical, achieved an average weight loss of 10 percent or more of their body weight in one year, compared to those on diet alone.

Xenical – How does it work?

Xenical effectively blocks most of the fat taken by the body from the food that one eats. It prevents the body from absorbing those fats, while successfully managing obesity.

Xenical, unlike other anti-obesity medications that work in the brain or nervous system to suppress appetite, is a safe non-systemically acting medication that works specifically in the digestive tract to prevent the absorption of approximately 30 per cent of dietary fat. The non-digested fat is excreted by the body.

The fat-blocking action of Xenical not only helps patients decrease weight and keep it off, it has also been shown to improve obesity-related conditions including high cholesterol, diabetes (insulin and blood sugar) and high blood pressure.

Xenical - Who can take?

Xenical will be prescribed to overweight and obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of greater than or equal to 30 or your BMI is 28 or more and you have other health problems such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes. You’ll also only be prescribed Xenical if dieting and exercise alone have produced a weight loss of at least 2.5kg over four weeks. In contrast, it’ll be discontinued if you haven’t lost at least five percent of your body weight after 12 weeks.

Studies haven't been done in children or teenagers under 18 years or adults over 74 years of age, so it's not recommended for these groups.

Xenical - How to Take

Take Xenical exactly as directed. Follow all directions given to you by your pharmacist carefully:

• Take Xenical three times a day during or up to one hour after your low fat meal.
• Eat three regular meals and you shouldn't be hungry; kick start your day and your metabolism with a good breakfast and forget fattening morning or afternoon snacks .
• You should limit your fat intake to no more than 15 grams of fat per meal. You'll be pleasantly surprised how much you can eat and still stay within your allowance.
• If you miss a meal, or if you have a meal without fat, you can skip your dose of Xenical for that meal also.
• If Xenical is taken with any one meal that is very high in fat, there is an increased chance of digestive side effects.
• Do not take more of this medication than has been prescribed for you. Doses greater than 120 mg three times a day have not been shown to provide an additional weight-loss benefit.
• Xenical may decrease your body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins. To ensure adequate nutrition, your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin that contains vitamins D, E, K, and beta-carotene. Take your vitamin supplement once a day, at least 2 hours before or after a dose of Xenical.

Xenical - Side Effects

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 Xenical. 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

Xenical Precautions

Before taking Xenical:

• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Xenical or any other drugs.
• Tell your doctor 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.

Xenical Storage

Keep this medication 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.

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