Uses
This medication is used with a reduced-calorie diet to help significantly
overweight persons lose weight. It also helps to prevent regaining
weight previously lost. Orlistat works by blocking some of the fat
normally digested by the intestine.
Directions
Take this drug by mouth, generally three times daily during (or
up to one hour after) each main meal that contains fat. Your daily
intake of fat, protein and carbohydrate should be evenly spread over
three main meals. If a meal is occasionally missed or contains no
fat, skip that dose of the medication. Because this drug can interfere
with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (e.g., 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 this drug (e.g., at bedtime).
The effects of this drug may begin as soon as 1-2 days after treatment
begins; noticeable weight loss will take longer.
Side efects
Fatty/oily stool, oily spotting, intestinal gas with discharge,
bowel movement urgency, poor bowel control, or headaches may occur.
If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Intestinal
side effects (e.g., oily stool) may increase in intensity if you exceed
your daily dietary fat allowance. If you notice other effects not
listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
Tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies, digestive
disorders (malabsorption or cholestasis), low thyroid function (hypothyroidism),
other metabolism problems (e.g., oxalate kidney stones, hyperoxaluria).
This drug should not be used if you have anorexia nervosa or bulimia-type
eating disorders. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using
this medication. The manufacturer does not recommend use of this drug
during pregnancy. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into
breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding
while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before
breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication
you use, especially of: cyclosporine, "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin),
drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin), other drugs used for weight loss.
Cyclosporine should be taken at least 2 hours before or after orlistat
to assure maximum absorption of the cyclosporine into your bloodstream.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center
or emergency room immediately.
Missed Dosage
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near
the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual
dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature (77 degrees F, 25 degrees C) away from
light and moisture.
Xenical 
