Xenical DRUG INFO
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.
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 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 at room temperature
(77 degrees F, 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. |
