Xenical

Xenical helps to reduce and maintain your weight, as well as to minimize any weight regain.  Xenical (orlistat) is a weight loss medication that inhibits the absorption of fat in your body rather than suppressing your appetite.  Xenical is useful for long term use and has been shown to be effective for 1-2 years.  Dietary fats are inhibited from being absorbed by using Xenical and this allows about 30% of the fat eaten in a meal to pass through the digestive tract undigested. 

Xenical is taken with each meal (three times daily). Your daily fat intake should be divided equally between these three meals so you will benefit from Xenical's actions. Xenical should be swallowed with water.

Loose stools and increased gas or flatulence.  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 with Xenical and keep to your recommended diet.

Xenical can cause changes in your bowel habits, such as fatty or oily stools, due to the elimination of undigested fat in your stool. Xenical reduces the absorption of supplements of some fat soluble nutrients, particularly beta-carotene and vitamin E.  You should therefore follow your doctor's advice in taking a well balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables.

Allergy to Xenical or chronic malabsorption syndromes such as sprue or steatorrhea. Xenical is not intended to be used in children or pregnant and nursing women.