Xenical (Orlistat)
Orlistat (Xenical) is used as an aid to help you lose weight. The medicine prevents the digestion of some of the fat you eat. Fats that are not digested cannot be absorbed and therefore do not contribute calories. To give the greatest weight loss, Orlistat must be used with a weight-reduction diet.
Orlistat prevents the absorption of some of the fat you eat. Therefore, you should take it during the meal or within 1 hour of eating. If you occasionally miss a meal or eat a meal that contains no fat, you should skip the dose of Orlistat.
Because Orlistat may decrease the amount of some vitamins that your body can absorb from food, you will need to take a multivitamin supplement once a day. Take the vitamin supplement at least 2 hours before or after taking Orlistat.
When using Orlistat, your diet should contain no more than 30% of calories as fat. More fat in your diet will increase the side effects of this medicine. Your diet should be nutritionally balanced, and your daily intake of fat, carbohydrates, and protein should be distributed over three main meals.
Xenical Dosage
The dose of Orlistat will be different for different patients. Follow your doctors orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of orlistat. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Adults — 120 milligrams (mg) of Xenical three times a day with meals containing fat.
Children — Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
If you miss a dose of Orlistat
If you miss a dose of Orlistat after a fat-containing meal, skip that dose. Wait until your next meal, and take the medicine on your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage — To store this medicine:
- Keep Orlistat out of the reach of children.
- Store Xenical away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated Orlistat or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded Xenical is out of the reach of children.
Side effects of Orlistat
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON Orlistat side effects persist or become bothersome:
Bowel movement urgency; gas with discharge; inability to control bowel movements; increased number of bowel movements; oily discharge; oily or fatty stools; oily spotting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE Xenical side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe or persistent stomach pain.
