Xenical

How to Take Xenical

The recommended dose of Xenical is one 120-mg capsule by mouth with liquid alongside each main meal containing fat.

You should take Xenical up to three times a day in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet. Each time you take Xenical, your nutritionally balanced meal should contain no more than about 30% of calories from fat. You should evenly divide your daily intake of fat, carbohydrates and protein over three main meals.

Take Xenical during meals or up to 1 hour after a meal. If you occasionally miss a meal or have a meal without fat, you can omit your dose of Xenical. Doses above 120 mg three times daily have not been shown to provide an additional weight-loss benefit.

Targets

When you start taking Xenical you will be given a weight loss target for the first 3 months. This target is 5% of your total body weight. If you succeed in losing 5% of your weight, you will be eligible to continue taking Xenical. Pharmacists can supply Xenical for up to two years.

Each time Xenical is supplied you will need to supply your pharmacist with your current weight. If your weight goes up at all within a three month period, Xenical will need to be stopped. If you lose enough weight for your BMI to fall below 28, Xenical can no longer be supplied. This is because a BMI of 30 is the minimum value which indicates obesity.

Side Effects

Like all prescription medications, Xenical carries a small risk of side effects. However, side effects of Xenical are usually mild and are not experienced by all people.

Common side-effects of this weight loss medication include:

• Headache
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Urgent or frequent need to open bowels
• Flatulence with discharge
• Oily discharge
• Oily, liquid or fatty stools

Individuals with type 2 diabetes may experience low blood sugar levels. Reducing the amount of fat in your diet can help reduce any digestive side effects of Xenical.

Because Xenical works by altering your body's fat absorption, some fat-soluble vitamins can be affected. You should take a daily multivitamin supplement that contains vitamins A, D, E and K and beta carotene once a day at least 2 hours before or after taking Xenical, such as at bedtime.

Precautions

Individuals who may be unsuitable for the use of Xenical include:

• Pregnant women and breastfeeding women
• Those with an allergy to orlistat
• People with thyroid disorders
• Sufferers of cholestasis (gallbladder problems)
• People with kidney stones or other kidney problems
• People with eating disorders

For more information, refer to the patient leaflet included with the medication.

FAQs

How much weight can you lose with Xenical?

In clinical studies, almost two-thirds of people treated with Xenical weight loss pills successfully lost at least 5% of their body weight after 2 years (when used alongside a healthy diet).

How do you take Xenical?

You should take Xenical up to three times a day, alongside a reduced-calorie diet. Each time you take Xenical, your meal should contain no more than about 30% of calories from fat. If you miss a meal or have a meal without fat, you do not need to take a dose. Please see the ‘how to use’ tab for more guidance.

Does Xenical work immediately?

Xenical starts to work as soon as you take it. If taken as directed, you should start to see results within two weeks.

How long can you use Xenical for?

If you do not lose at least 5% of your weight after 3 months, stop taking it. You should not take Xenical for more than 6 months.

Do you gain weight back after Xenical?

You are more likely to keep the weight off after Xenical if you stick to a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Can you drink alcohol on Xenical?

Xenical does not interact with alcohol, meaning it is safe to drink alongside the weight loss treatment. However, it’s important to remember that alcohol is highly calorific and may hinder your journey.

What are the side effects of Xenical?

Xenical carries the risk of small side effects. This includes headaches, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel movements. Please see the ‘side effects’ tab for more information.

Xenical vs. other weight loss methods

There are typically two different kinds of weight loss medications. Some medications are appetite suppressants and others work within the digestive system to prevent fat absorption.

While there are hundreds of weight loss products on the market, it is crucial that individuals looking for medication only ever order prescriptions from reputable, regulated pharmacies. Purchasing from other online sources can be extremely dangerous.

Can I buy Xenical online?

Xenical is a prescription medication, meaning you must complete our online assessment before you can purchase it.

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Patient Information

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find the information by searching for your treatment on Medicines.org.uk.

If you have any questions about your treatment please refer to Medicines.org.uk or contact us.

Xenical Patient Information Leaflet