Xenical

Xenical is a lipase inhibitor drug, used to treat overweight condition or obesity. It promotes weight loss by inhibiting the action of lipase, a chemical that digests and makes fat from your food intake absorbable into the body.

Consequently, some fats are not absorbed and are excreted by the body through the feces. Treating obesity also reduces the chance of developing other health problems associated with it such as heart disease, high blood pressure/ hypertension, diabetes, cancer and much more.

Orlistat is usually used with an appropriate diet and exercise plan for its maximum efficiency.

Read your medication guide and follow your prescription label at all times.

• Take orlistat by mouth/orally during your meal or within 1 hour after eating a meal with fat content, 3 times a day or per doctor’s prescription.
• If your meal has no fat content or you skipped a meal, do not take your dose of Xenical for that meal. Make sure that your fat intake is not more than 30% of your total caloric intake in a day.
• The dosage depends on your medical condition, weight or treatment response. Do not adjust your dose without your doctor’s recommendation.
• Take multivitamin supplements with at least 2 hours interval before or after intake of orlistat to prevent malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
• If you are taking cyclosporine or levothyroxine, take the said medications 3- 4 hours before or after intake of orlistat.
• Monitor your weight regularly. Weight loss must be noted in two weeks after you started taking orlistat.
• Continue taking orlistat on a regular schedule (same time of the day). Do not stop taking orlistat without consulting your doctor.

Inform your doctor immediately if your condition aggravates or does not improve.

Take your missed dose as soon as possible. If 1- 2 hours had passed from your mealtime (fats from your food intake had been absorbed already in your body) stick with the regular schedule and leave out the missed dose. Do not double dose to cover up a missed dose. Record your missed dose and inform your doctor immediately if you missed several doses.

Xenical may interact with:

• Warfarin
• Cyclosporine
• Levothyroxine
• Insulin or other anti- diabetic medications taken by mouth
• Digoxin and
• Vitamin/ mineral supplements that contain any of the fat- soluble vitamins (Vit. A, D, E, and K)

Some drugs may either lessen the beneficial effects or worsen the side effects of orlistat. Likewise, orlistat may make some drugs less efficient or intensify their side effects.

Make sure to inform your doctor about all other drugs you are currently taking or using (prescribed and non-prescribed medications including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products) to check for possible drug interaction with orlistat.

Never alter the dose of other medications while on orlistat neither stop nor start any medicine without the doctor’s recommendation.

Side Effects: There are no side effects known aside from a possible allergic reaction in people who have previous or unknown hypersensitivity to the drug.

Watch out for signs of allergic reactions such as:

• Rash
• Itching
• Swelling

Before taking Xenical, tell your health care provider if you have/are:

• Any allergies to any substance, food or medication, particularly to orlistat
• Medical history or a present condition such as:
  • Kidney disease, liver or gallbladder disease
  • Diabetes (Type I or II)
  • Problems in absorbing nutrients from dietary intake or chronic malabsorption syndrome
  • History of pancreatitis or inflammation of pancreas
  • Decreased thyroid activity
  • Anorexia and other eating disorder
• Pregnant, planning to get pregnant or currently breastfeeding a baby (Orlistat can harm an unborn child and it affects the absorption of vitamins that are essential if you are breastfeeding a child. The risks and benefits of using this medication during pregnancy must be discussed well with your doctor.)