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HOW IT WORKS
Unlike some other weight-loss drugs, Xenical® does
not achieve its' results by altering the metabolism. XENICAL ® is an
oral prescription weight loss medication used to help obese people lose
weight and keep this weight off. 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. XENICAL
should be used together with a reduced-calorie diet that your doctor
will recommend. Excess weight has been proven to contribute to an
increased risk of developing many medical problems, including high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes. The consumption
of excess fatty food and calories plays a significant role in the
development of excess weight. While fat is an important component of a
balanced diet, the consumption of excess fat contributes to excess body
weight, since fat provides twice the number of calories per gram of
weight as carbohydrates and protein. Reduction of dietary fat intake is
one potential way of losing weight. A weight loss program that includes
a reduced-calorie diet and appropriate physical activity may be adequate
in some patients. You should discuss with your doctor or other health
care provider whether XENICAL® should be added to such a program.
XENICAL ® may be right for you if you are considerably overweight (at
least 30% above ideal weight or a Body Mass Index(BMI) of 30 or
greater). XENICAL® may also be right for you if you are overweight (at
least 20% above ideal weight or a body mass index of 27 or greater) and
also have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, heart disease, or diabetes. (The BMI is calculated by
dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared.)
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
YOU should not use XENICAL if you consistently have
problems absorbing food (chronic malabsorption) have gallbladder
problems are pregnant or are breastfeeding a child have ever had an
allergic reaction to orlistat or any of the inactive ingredients in
XENICAL. Before taking XENICAL, make sure your doctor knows if you are:
allergic to any medicines, foods, or dyes taking any other weight-loss
medication taking cyclosporine taking any other medicines (including
those not prescribed by your doctor) taking any dietary supplements,
including herbal products planning to become pregnant anorexic or
bulimic Because XENICAL ® works by blocking the absorption of dietary
fat, it is likely that you will experience some changes in bowel habits.
These generally occur during the first weeks of treatment; however, they
may continue throughout your use of XENICAL. These changes may include
oily spotting, gas with discharge, urgent need to go to the bathroom,
oily or fatty stools, an oily discharge, increased number of bowel
movements, and inability to control bowel movements. Due to the presence
of undigested fat, the oil seen in a bowel movement may be clear or have
a coloration such as orange or brown. These bowel changes are a natural
effect of blocking the fat from being absorbed 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 often temporary and may lessen or disappear as you continue
treatment and keep to your recommended diet of meals containing no more
than about 30% fat. However, these side effects may occur in some
individuals over a period of 6 months or longer. If you are concerned
about these or any other side effects you experience while taking
XENICAL, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. For more information about
Xenical®, contact your physician or other healthcare professional. For
complete product information please visit www.xenical.com
HOW SHOULD I TAKE XENICAL
The recommended dose is one 120 mg capsule by mouth
with liquid at each main meal that contains fat. You can take XENICAL®
in conjunction with a mildly reduced-calorie diet up to 3 times a day.
Each time you take XENICAL®, your meal should contain no more than
about 30% of calories from fat. Take XENICAL® during meals or up to one
hour after a meal. If you occasionally miss a meal or have a meal
without fat, you can omit your dose of XENICAL. Doses greater than 120
mg three times a day have not been shown to provide an additional weight
loss benefit. You should use XENICAL® together with a nutritionally
balanced, mildly reduced-calorie diet that contains no more than about
30% of calories from fat. You should evenly divide your daily intake of
fat, carbohydrates, and protein over 3 main meals. You should try to
follow a healthy eating plan such as the one developed by the American
Heart Association. Following this eating plan will help you lose weight
while decreasing some of the possible gastrointestinal effects you may
experience while taking XENICAL®.
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CAN I TAKE OTHER MEDICATIONS WHILE TAKING XENICAL
Be sure to discuss with your doctor all medications
(including herbal products) you are currently taking, including
medicines you can get without a prescription (over-the-counter), to
determine if XENICAL® can be taken in addition to these medications.
HOW LONG SHOULD I TAKE XENICAL
The use of XENICAL® for more than 2 years has not
been studied. You and your doctor should discuss how long you should use
XENICAL®.
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Product
Information Xenical® (orlistat)