Orlistat

Brand Names

Orlistat, Alli, Xenical

What is Orlistat

Orlistat is a prescription (Xenical) or non-prescription (Alli) medicine for a weight loss. It is used together with an individualized low-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise program. Orlistat belongs to a class of medications called lipase inhibitors. It prevents some part of the fat in foods eaten from being absorbed in the intestines.

Xenical is taken by overweight people who may also have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease. It is also used after weight loss in order to help people keep from gaining back that weight.

Side effects of Orlistat

The most common side effects after Orlistat intake included:

• oily spotting on underwear or on clothing
• gas with oily spotting
• urgent need to have a bowel movement
• loose stools
• oily or fatty stools
• increased number of bowel movements
• difficulty controlling bowel movements
• pain or discomfort in the rectum (bottom)
• stomach pain
• irregular menstrual periods
• headache
• anxiety

There is a list of the most serious side effects of Orlistat:

• dark-colored urine
• hives
• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• severe or continuous stomach pain
• excessive tiredness or weakness
• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• dark-colored urine
• light-colored stools

Indication

Orlistat is used to treat obesity. It works by reducing the absorption of fat from your diet. The stomach and intestine have enzymes which are called lipases that turn fat into smaller molecules which are then absorbed from your digestive tract. Orlistat binds to lipases and inhibits their activity helping to reduce the causes of fat absorption.

Precautions

It is not recommended to take Orlistat if you have:

• have had an organ transplant operation
• cholestasis (condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is blocked)
• malabsorption syndrome (problems absorbing food)
• an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa or bulimia, diabetes, kidney stones, pancreatitis), gallbladder or thyroid disease
• you are allergic to orlistat or any other medications
• you are taking medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) or cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after orlistat.
• you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or a breastfeeding

You also should inform your doctor if you are using anticoagulants (warfarin (Coumadin)), medications for diabetes (glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Dynase, Micronase), metformin (Glucophage), insulin)), medications to control blood pressure, medications for thyroid disease and any other medications for weight loss.

Dosage forms

There are 2 forms of Orlistat: capsule and non-prescription capsule taken by mouth, 3 times a day with each main meal that contains fat. You also may use it up to 1 hour after a meal. There is no necessity to take orlistat if you missed a meal or meal didn't contain fat. You should discuss the safeness of Orlistat with your doctor.

Prescription Orlistat (Xenical) Dosing for Weight Loss in adults and children age 12 and older is 120mg, 3 times daily. It should always be used with an appropriate diet plan.

Non-Prescription Orlistat (Alli) Dosing for Weight Loss in adults is 60mg, 3 times daily. It is not recommended for use in children.