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Xenical
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Generic Name: orlistat (OR lih stat)
Brand Names:
Xenical |
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What is the most important information I should know about
orlistat? |
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Orlistat may decrease your body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins.
To ensure adequate nutrition, your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin
that contains vitamins D, E, K, and beta-carotene. Take your vitamin supplement
once a day, at least 2 hours before or after a dose of
orlistat. |
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Do not take more of this medication than has been prescribed for you. Doses
greater than 120 mg three times a day have not been shown to provide any
additional weight-loss benefit. |
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Orlistat blocks some of the fat that you eat from being absorbed by your
body. |
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Orlistat is used in the management of obesity including weight loss and
weight maintenance when used with a reduced-calorie
diet. |
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Orlistat may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
orlistat? |
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Do not take orlistat without first talking to your doctor if you
have |
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a chronic malabsorption syndrome, or |
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You may not be able to take orlistat if you have any of the conditions
listed above. |
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Before taking orlistat, talk to your doctor if you |
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have a history of kidney stones, |
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have anorexia or bulimia, |
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take any other weight-loss medicine, or |
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take cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral). |
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You may not be able to take orlistat, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during your treatment if you have any of the conditions
listed above. |
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Orlistat is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not
expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not take orlistat without first talking to
your doctor if you are pregnant. |
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It is not known whether orlistat passes into breast milk. Do not take
orlistat without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby. |
How should I take orlistat? |
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Take orlistat exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand
these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to
you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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Orlistat is usually taken with each main meal that contains fat. Orlistat
can be taken during meals or up to one hour after a
meal. |
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Each time you take orlistat, 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. |
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If you miss a meal, or if you have a meal without fat, you can skip your
dose of orlistat for that meal also. |
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If orlistat is taken with any one meal that is very high in fat, there is an
increased chance of digestive side effects. |
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Do not take more of this medication than has been prescribed for you. Doses
greater than 120 mg three times a day have not been shown to provide an
additional weight-loss benefit. |
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|
Orlistat may decrease your body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins.
To ensure adequate nutrition, your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin
that contains vitamins D, E, K, and beta-carotene. Take your vitamin supplement
once a day, at least 2 hours before or after a dose of
orlistat. |
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Store orlistat at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose? |
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Take the missed dose up to one hour after a meal. If more than one hour has
passed since your last meal, skip the dose you missed and take only your next
regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose of this
medication. |
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If you miss a meal, or if you have a meal without fat, you can skip your
dose of orlistat for that meal also. |
What happens if I overdose? |
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of an orlistat overdose are not known. |
What should I avoid while taking orlistat? |
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Orlistat may decrease your body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins.
To ensure adequate nutrition, your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin
that contains vitamins D, E, K, and beta-carotene. Take your vitamin supplement
once a day, at least 2 hours before or after a dose of
orlistat. |
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Each time you take orlistat, 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. |
What are the possible side effects of
orlistat? |
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Stop taking orlistat 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. |
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Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take
orlistat and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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an urgent need to go to the bathroom, |
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an increased number of bowel movements, |
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an inability to control bowel movements, or |
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orange or brown colored oil in your stool. |
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The bowel changes listed above are a natural effect of blocking fat and
indicate that orlistat 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. |
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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. |
What other drugs will affect orlistat? |
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Do not take orlistat without first talking to your doctor if you are taking
any of the following medicines: |
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cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), or |
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You may not be able to take orlistat, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the
medicines listed above. |
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Before taking orlistat, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the
following medicines to lower cholesterol: |
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atorvastatin (Lipitor), |
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pravastatin (Pravachol), or |
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You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment
if you are taking any of the cholesterol-lowering medicines listed
above. |
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Orlistat may decrease your body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins.
To ensure adequate nutrition, your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin
that contains vitamins D, E, K, and beta-carotene. Take your vitamin supplement
once a day, at least 2 hours before or after a dose of
orlistat. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with orlistat. Talk to
your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or
over-the-counter medicines. |
Where can I get more information? |
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Your pharmacist has more information about orlistat written for health
professionals that you may
read. | |
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