Xenical (Orlistat) is used to help obese people who fit certain weight and height requirements lose weight and maintain weight loss. Xenical works in your intestines, where it blocks some of the fat you eat from being absorbed. This undigested fat is then eliminated in your bowel movements. Use Xenical together with a reduced-calorie diet. The weight management effects of Xenical continue only as long as you are taking it.

How Taken

Xenical comes in a capsule to take it orally. It is usually taken tree times a day with food. Take Xenical exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Xenical should be given with meals. A diet consisting of daily intake of fat (30% of total calories), carbohydrates, and protein should be distributed evenly over 3 main meals.

Warnings/Precautions

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. 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.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose resume taking Xenical at the next meal. Do not try to make up the loss with a double dose. The extra drug will not help.

Possible Side Effects

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.

Storage

Store this medication at room temperature and out of the reach of children. Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Xenical overdose are not known.

More Information

Xenical may decrease your body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins. To ensure adequate nutrition, your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin that contain 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.