Information
About Xenical
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information
is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and
judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is
safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare
professional before using this drug.
ORLISTAT - ORAL (OR-lih-stat)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Xenical
USES: This medication 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.
HOW TO USE: Take this drug by mouth, generally three times
daily during (or up to one hour after) each main meal that contains
fat. Your daily intake of fat, protein and carbohydrate should
be evenly spread over three main meals. If a meal is occasionally
missed or contains no fat, skip that dose of the medication. Because
this drug can interfere with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
(e.g., A,D,E,K), a daily multivitamin supplement containing these
nutrients is recommended. Take the multivitamin at least 2 hours
before or 2 hours after this drug (e.g., at bedtime). The effects
of this drug may begin as soon as 1-2 days after treatment begins;
noticeable weight loss will take longer.
XENICAL SIDE EFFECTS: Fatty/oily stool, oily spotting,
intestinal gas with discharge, bowel movement urgency, poor bowel
control, or headaches may occur. If these effects persist or worsen,
notify your doctor promptly. Intestinal side effects (e.g., oily
stool) may increase in intensity if you exceed your daily dietary
fat allowance. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact
your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, including:
allergies, digestive disorders (malabsorption or cholestasis),
low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), other metabolism problems
(e.g., oxalate kidney stones, hyperoxaluria). This drug should
not be used if you have anorexia nervosa or bulimia-type eating
disorders. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this
medication. The manufacturer does not recommend use of this drug
during pregnancy. It is not known whether this drug is excreted
into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant,
breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult
your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription
drugs and nonprescription medication you use, especially of: cyclosporine,
"blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), drugs for diabetes
(e.g., insulin), other drugs used for weight loss. Cyclosporine
should be taken at least 2 hours before or after orlistat to assure
maximum absorption of the cyclosporine into your bloodstream.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist
approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local
poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Follow
your doctor-approved nutritional, reduced-calorie diet containing
about 30 percent calories from fat. Also, exercise is recommended;
however, first consult your doctor or pharmacist.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you
remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed
dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the
dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store Xenical at room temperature (77 degrees
F, 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
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