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