Xenical (Generic Orlistat)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs color=”black” spacing=”10″ gap=”10″ alignment=”center” active_section=”1″ css_animation=”rollIn”][vc_tta_section title=”Description” tab_id=”1500389328687-b3b21899-eef0″][vc_column_text]Xenical (Generic Orlistat) is used together with a reduced-calorie diet and weight maintenance to treat obesity in people with certain risk factors (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol or triglycerides). Xenical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Use” tab_id=”1500389328750-d09ab9ad-1d93″][vc_column_text]This medication is used with a doctor-approved exercise, behavior change, and reduced-calorie diet program to help you lose weight. It is used by certain overweight people, such as those who are obese or have weight-related medical problems. Taking orlistat can also help keep you from gaining back weight you have lost. Losing weight and keeping it off can lessen the many health risks that come with obesity, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a shorter life. Dietary fats need to be broken down into smaller pieces before the body can absorb them. Orlistat works by blocking the enzyme that breaks down fats in your diet. This undigested fat then passes out of your body in your bowel movement. Orlistat does not block the absorption of calories from sugar and other non-fat foods, so you still need to restrict your total intake of calories.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How to Take” tab_id=”1500389387696-bdbeacb1-9ee0″][vc_column_text]If you are taking the over-the-counter product to self-treat, read all directions on the product package before taking this medication. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking orlistat and each time you get a refill. Take this medication as directed by your doctor, by mouth with liquid sometime during each meal that contains fat or within 1 hour after the meal, usually 3 times daily. If you miss a meal or your meal contains no fat, skip that dose of the medication. To decrease the chance of unpleasant side effects, it is very important that no more than 30% of the calories in your diet come from fat. Your daily intake of fat, protein, and carbohydrates should be evenly spread over 3 main meals. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Because this drug can interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins (fat-soluble vitamins including 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 taking orlistat (such as at bedtime). If you take cyclosporine, take it at least 3 hours before or after orlistat to make sure the full dose of cyclosporine is absorbed into your bloodstream. If you take levothyroxine, take it at least 4 hours before or after orlistat. You should see some weight loss within 2 weeks after you start orlistat. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Side Effects” tab_id=”1500389412853-d02a327a-b319″][vc_column_text]Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using orlistat and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: severe pain in your lower back, blood in your urine; urinating less than usual or not at all; drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst; swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath; severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; or nausea, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). The following side effects occur commonly with the use of orlistat. They are the natural effects of orlistat’s fat-blocking action and are actually signs that the medication is working properly. These side effects are usually temporary and may lessen as you continue treatment with orlistat: oily spotting in your undergarments; oily or fatty stools; orange or brown colored oil in your stool; gas with discharge, an oily discharge; loose stools, or an urgent need to go to the bathroom, inability to control bowel movements; an increased number of bowel movements; stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rectal pain; or weakness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, itching, loss of appetite, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Other side effects that may occur while taking orlistat include: problems with your teeth or gums; cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough; fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms; headache, back pain; or mild skin rash. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Precautions” tab_id=”1500389436547-e45a2b4c-4cda”][vc_column_text]Data from a XENICAL and cyclosporine drug interaction study indicate a reduction in cyclosporine plasma levels when XENICAL was coadministered with cyclosporine. Therefore, XENICAL and cyclosporine should not be simultaneously coadministered. To reduce the chance of a drug-drug interaction, cyclosporine should be taken at least 3 hours before or after XENICAL in patients taking both drugs. In addition, in those patients whose cyclosporine levels are being measured, more frequent monitoring should be considered. Patients should be strongly encouraged to take a multivitamin supplement that contains fat-soluble vitamins to ensure adequate nutrition because XENICAL has been shown to reduce the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins and beta-carotene. In addition, the levels of vitamin D and beta-carotene may be low in obese patients compared with non-obese subjects. The supplement should be taken once a day at least 2 hours before or after the administration of XENICAL, such as at bedtime.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Drug Interactions” tab_id=”1500389457813-0dc3e294-95e1″][vc_column_text]Cyclosporine Data from a XENICAL and cyclosporine drug interaction study indicate a reduction in cyclosporine plasma levels when XENICAL was coadministered with cyclosporine. XENICAL and cyclosporine should not be simultaneously coadministered. Cyclosporine should be administered 3 hours after the administration of XENICAL. Fat-soluble Vitamin Supplements And Analogues Data from a pharmacokinetic interaction study showed that the absorption of beta-carotene supplement is reduced when concomitantly administered with XENICAL. XENICAL inhibited absorption of a vitamin E acetate supplement. The effect of XENICAL on the absorption of supplemental vitamin D, vitamin A, and nutritionally-derived vitamin K is not known at this time. Levothyroxine Hypothyroidism has been reported in patients treated concomitantly with XENICAL and levothyroxine postmarketing. Patients treated concomitantly with XENICAL and levothyroxine should be monitored for changes in thyroid function. Administer levothyroxine and XENICAL at least 4 hours apart. Warfarin Vitamin K absorption may be decreased with XENICAL. Patients on chronic stable doses of warfarin who are prescribed XENICAL should be monitored closely for changes in coagulation parameters. Amiodarone A pharmacokinetic study, where amiodarone was orally administered during orlistat treatment, demonstrated a reduction in exposure to amiodarone and its metabolite, desethylamiodarone. A reduced therapeutic effect of amiodarone is possible. The effect of commencing orlistat treatment in patients on stable amiodarone therapy has not been studied. Antiepileptic Drugs Convulsions have been reported in patients treated concomitantly with orlistat and antiepileptic drugs. Patients should be monitored for possible changes in the frequency and/or severity of convulsions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row]