Xenical

How to Take Xenical

The recommended dose is one 120-mg capsule by mouth with liquid at each main meal that contains 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.
You should try to follow a healthy eating plan, such as one from which no more than 30% of calories come from fat. Following this eating plan will help you lose weight while decreasing some of the possible gastrointestinal effects you may experience while taking Xenical. Your doctor may need to adjust your calorie restriction and/or your activity level, including reasonable exercise.
Because Xenical interferes with your body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins, 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.

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 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 in any three months, Xenical will need to be stopped. If you lose enough weight for your BMI to fall below 28, Xenical can no longer be supplied.
Some people do not succeed in losing weight with Xenical. These people should not be disheartened. They can have a break of 6 months and try again later, or see a doctor or a weight loss clinic as alternatives. Losing weight, like many things that are hard to achieve, takes perseverance and resolve, so do not give up.

Side Effects

Side effects of taking Xenical are usually mild and are not experienced by all people. Common side-effects include; headache, abdominal pain/discomfort, urgent or increased need to open the bowels, flatulence (wind) with discharge, oily discharge, oily or fatty stools, liquid stools, low blood sugar levels (experienced by some people with type 2 diabetes).
Reducing the amount of fat in the diet is likely to reduce the digestive side effects.