Xenical instructions

Brand Name: Xenical

Generic Name: Orlistat

The following product information is not a substitute for physician's or manufacturer's instructions.

Xenical Medical Uses:
Xenical is a prescription drug used to help obese people lose weight and keep the weight off while eating a reduced-calorie diet. Xenical decreases the amount of fat that is absorbed from your diet.

How to Take Xenical:
Take Xenical 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 Xenical 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 Xenical. The effects of Xenical may begin as soon as 1-2 days after treatment begins; noticeable weight loss will take longer.

Xenical Possible Side Effects:
The side effects seen with Xenical are related to the reduced absorption of fat from your diet. Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects may last for less than one week, but have occurred for up to 6 months or longer. Maintaining an appropriate diet can help decrease side effects. The use of Xenical for greater than 2 years has not been studied. Side effects that you should report to your doctor as soon as possible: arthritis or joint pain/tenderness; back pain. The following side effects usually do not require medical attention: abdominal discomfort; increased number of bowel movements; loss of control of bowel movements; urgent need to go to the bathroom; gas with release of stool; oily/fatty stools; oily discharge; clear, orange or brown colored bowel movements. These symptoms are generally mild, occur at the beginning of treatment, go away after a short period of time and are particularly experienced after meals containing high levels of fat. Normally, these symptoms disappear if you continue treatment and keep to your recommended diet. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or concerns you.

Xenical Precautions:
Xenical 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. Do not take this drug without first talking to your doctor if you have: a chronic malabsorption syndrome, gallbladder problems. Before taking Xenical, talk to your doctor if you have: a history of kidney stones, diabetes, anorexia or bulimia Tell your doctor if you take any other weight-loss medicine, cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral). Orlistat is in the FDA pregnancy category B. It is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Drug Interactions:
Do not take Xenical without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); warfarin (Coumadin). Before taking Xenical, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines to lower cholesterol: atorvastatin (Lipitor), cerivastatin (Baycol), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor). This medication 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. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

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 this medicine at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

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