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 XENICAL: 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 XENICAL: 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 XENICAL: 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 XENICAL: 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 XENICAL: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 XENICAL:If overdose is suspected, contact
your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES XENICAL:: 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 XENICAL: 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 XENICAL:Store at room temperature (77 degrees
F, 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. |
