Manufacturer: Roche, Switzerland
Pharmaceutical name: Orlistat
Pack: 42 caps (120 mg)
Xenical inhibits the absorption of some dietary fat, preventing it from being absorbed by your body. It is intended to be used alongside a calorie-restricted diet and weight management strategies to address obesity in individuals with specific risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Xenical may also serve other purposes not mentioned in this medication guide. Avoid taking Xenical if you are allergic to orlistat, have gallbladder issues, or suffer from chronic malabsorption syndrome (a condition where the body cannot adequately absorb food and nutrients). Prior to using Xenical, inform your doctor if you have an underactive thyroid, a history of gallstones or pancreatitis, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, an eating disorder, liver disease, or if you are using other weight-loss medications (either prescription or over-the-counter).
Do not administer over-the-counter orlistat to children under 18 years old. Xenical should not be utilized by anyone aged 12 to 18 without a doctor's approval. It is intended solely for the individual to whom it is prescribed and should never be shared with others, especially those with a history of eating disorders. Store this medication securely out of reach of others.
Xenical is just one aspect of a comprehensive treatment plan that encompasses diet, exercise, and weight management. Your daily consumption of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates should be evenly distributed across your meals. Adhere strictly to your diet, medication, and exercise regimen. While on Xenical, avoid a high-fat diet, as consuming high-fat meals with this medication can elevate the risk of undesirable gastrointestinal side effects.
Potential side effects include headache, oily discharge from the rectum, abdominal pain or discomfort, flatulence (gas) sometimes accompanied by discharge, oily or fatty stools, an urgent or heightened need to use the bathroom, diarrhea, and low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) in individuals with type 2 diabetes.