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Home > Drug Category > Weight Loss Medications > Xenical and Equivalent

Xenical Information

Xenical (Orlistat) is used to aid weight loss or help reduce the risk of regaining already lost weight. Weight loss is essential for overall health as it can reduce the risk of developing or managing obesity-related conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers while improving mood, energy levels, and quality of life. Xenical must be used with a reduced-calorie diet for better results. Gastrointestinal lipase inhibitors like Orlistat work by blocking enzymes (lipases) in the digestive system that break down dietary fats. This prevents fat absorption by the body. The body eliminates the undigested fat through stool.

Xenical Side Effects

Xenical's most common side effects may include oily stools, increased frequency of bowel movements, flatulence with oily discharge, headache, and oily spotting on underwear. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects, such as:
• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, breathing difficulties, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat;
• Signs of kidney problems, such as severe back, side, or groin pain, bloody urine, painful urination;
• Signs of liver problems, such as pale stools, dark urine, severe abdominal pain, nausea, appetite loss

Xenical Precautions

Do not use Xenical if you are allergic to Orlistat or other ingredients in this medication. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, including if you have an organ transplant, underactive thyroid, eating disorder, chronic malabsorption syndrome, cholestasis, diabetes, kidney problems, liver problems, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or are planning to breastfeed. Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be a drug interaction between Xenical and other medications, such as warfarin, cyclosporine, levothyroxine, carbamazepine, amiodarone, metformin, etc. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before using Xenical. A pregnant woman should not use Orlistat as weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy, even for women who are overweight. Orlistat also reduces the absorption of fats, potentially limiting the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins crucial for fetal development. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed before using Xenical. It is unknown if Orlistat passes into breast milk or if it may harm a nursing infant. However, taking Orlistat may make it harder for your body to absorb specific essential vitamins when breastfeeding a baby. Do not use this medicine in children younger than 12 without talking to your doctor.

Use your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Xenical comes as a capsule. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush or chew it. Take this medicine three times a day with each meal that contains fat. Take the capsule during the meal or within one hour after finishing the meal. If you skip a meal or eat a meal that contains no fat, you can skip that dose of Xenical. Avoid a diet that is high in fat. High-fat meals combined with Xenical can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects on your stomach or intestines. Xenical is most effective when used with a doctor-recommended, nutritionally balanced, low-fat, and reduced-calorie diet. Your doctor can help you create a suitable meal plan. Store Xenical at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep all medicines out of reach of children.

Do I need a prescription to order Xenical?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Xenical.