Xenical
Drug name: Xenical
Other names used:
- alli®
Active Ingredients:
Orlistat
Therapeutic actions: Xenical blocks some of the fat that you eat from being absorbed by your body.
Indications: Xenical is used in the management of obesity including weight loss and weight maintenance when used with a reduced-calorie diet.
Contraindications and cautions:
- 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 (Sandimmune, Neoral).
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.
- 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.
- Each time you take Xenical, your meal should contain no more than about 30% of calories from fat. Evenly divide your daily intake of fat, carbohydrates, and protein over three main meals a day. Talk to your doctor about following a healthy eating plan.
Adverse effects: The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Stop taking Xenical and seek emergency medical attention if you experience
- a rare allergic reaction including shortness of breath;
- closing of your throat;
- swelling of your lips, tongue, or face;
- or hives.
Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take Xenical and talk to your doctor if you experience
- oily spotting,
- gas with discharge,
- an urgent need to go to the bathroom,
- oily or fatty stools,
- an oily discharge,
- an increased number of bowel movements,
- an inability to control bowel movements, or
- orange or brown colored oil in your stool.
The bowel changes listed above are a natural effect of blocking fat and indicate that Xenical is working. They generally occur early in treatment, particularly after meals containing higher amounts of fat than are recommended. These symptoms are usually temporary and lessen or disappear as you continue treatment and keep to your recommended diet of meals containing 30% fat.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Interactions: Do not take Xenical without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), or
- warfarin (Coumadin).
You may not be able to take Xenical, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Before taking Xenical, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines to lower cholesterol:
- atorvastatin (Lipitor),
- cerivastatin (Baycol),
- fluvastatin (Lescol),
- lovastatin (Mevacor),
- pravastatin (Pravachol), or
- simvastatin (Zocor).
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the cholesterol-lowering medicines listed above.
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.
drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Xenical. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.
