The FDA has approved over-the-counter (OTC) Xenical (orlistat) for weight loss. Prescription and OTC medications are available without a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Your doctor may prescribe OTC Xenical for your specific situation. When using Xenical, it’s important to follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider and to only use Xenical as directed. If you have any questions about using Xenical, consult with your healthcare provider to get a complete understanding of this medication’s effects. To learn more about OTC Xenical, please read on to learn how to use it safely and effectively for weight loss.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a black box warning about Xenical (orlistat) that is similar to the following safety concerns:
If you experience any of these serious side effects or symptoms while using this medication, stop using this medication and contact a healthcare professional immediately:
The FDA has approved OTC Xenical for weight loss, but it may not be the right medication for all people. Before you use OTC Xenical, you should know what questions to ask your healthcare provider.
If you’re concerned about side effects of this medication, your healthcare provider will be able to provide guidance and advice regarding how to safely and effectively use this medication. You should not use this medication if you have any of these signs or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (such as difficulty breathing, rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat). Contact a healthcare professional right away if you have any of the following symptoms, including:
Orlistat is a weight loss drug used to help people lose weight. However, it is not suitable for everyone, and it may interact with other drugs you might be taking.
Before you begin using this weight loss drug, it's important to understand the risks and side effects of Orlistat.
Orlistat belongs to a group of drugs called lipase inhibitors. These drugs block a drug's absorption into the body, which can lead to weight loss. Orlistat is available in both tablet and capsule form. This makes it easier to take the medication as opposed to taking it with food.
It's important to note that Orlistat is not recommended for people with a history of heart disease or high blood pressure, as it can interact with other drugs you might be taking. In addition, it may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions or who have a history of liver problems.
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Orlistat is a weight loss medication used to help people lose weight. It is available in both tablet and capsule form.
It's important to understand that Orlistat is a prescription-only medication. It cannot be used in conjunction with a drug which is prescribed by a doctor. Orlistat must not be taken by people who are taking any other medications.
Orlistat can be taken with or without food, or with food. It's best to take Orlistat with a full glass of water to avoid dehydration and to prevent stomach upset.
Take Orlistat with a full glass of water and follow all instructions on your prescription label. Orlistat should be taken with a full glass of water to prevent stomach upset.
Orlistat may be taken with or without food, but it should not be taken with food.
If you have questions about Orlistat or if it is safe for you to take it, please talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Orlistat can cause serious side effects. These can include:
Objectives:The efficacy of orlistat (Orlistat, Alli) in patients with obesity and/or overweight was assessed by a non-systemic assessment using body mass index (BMI). In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a total of 60 subjects who had been obese and/or overweight, were randomized to receive either orlistat or placebo once daily (orlistat+placebo). Alli was administered for three months at 3- to 6-week intervals. The primary endpoint was body mass index (BMI), which was the primary outcome for this study. The secondary outcomes included change from baseline in BMI (BMI change, n = 60), weight (BMI change, n = 30), waist circumference (CSA, n = 30), and percentage of body fat (BMI change, n = 30).
Methods:A total of 60 subjects were randomized to receive either orlistat (n = 60) or placebo (n = 60) for three months. In a study of the efficacy of orlistat in the treatment of obesity, the dose of orlistat was either 100 mg daily or placebo (n = 60) for three months. In a study of the efficacy of orlistat in the treatment of overweight and obesity, the dose of orlistat was either 100 mg daily or placebo (n = 60) for three months. Alli was administered for three months at three-week intervals.
Results:For the three months of study, the mean changes from baseline in BMI from baseline for subjects receiving orlistat and placebo were -0.08 (95% CI: -0.14 to -0.11) and -0.10 (95% CI: -0.23 to -0.03) respectively. For the three months of study, there was no significant difference in BMI between the treatment groups (p = 0.14). For the three months of study, the mean change from baseline in BMI was -0.03 (95% CI: -0.06 to -0.10) and -0.02 (95% CI: -0.01 to -0.04) for the orlistat group and -0.02 (95% CI: -0.02 to -0.04) and -0.01 (95% CI: -0.02 to -0.03) for the placebo group, respectively (p = 0.01).
Conclusions:The efficacy of orlistat in the treatment of obesity and overweight was demonstrated.
The efficacy of orlistat in the treatment of obesity and overweight was demonstratedSee also.
BMI, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were measured in 70 subjects in the treatment group and 60 subjects in the placebo group. Alli dose of orlistat was administered for three months and the mean change from baseline in BMI was -0.08 (95% CI: -0.14 to -0.11) and -0.10 (95% CI: -0.23 to -0.03) respectively. In the orlistat group, the change from baseline in BMI between the treatment group and placebo was -0.03 (95% CI: -0.06 to -0.10) and -0.01 (95% CI: -0.02 to -0.03) for the orlistat + placebo group and -0.02 (95% CI: -0.01 to -0.03) and -0.01 (95% CI: -0.02 to -0.03) for the placebo group. The change from baseline in BMI in the orlistat group was -0.02 (95% CI: -0.01 to -0.03) and -0.01 (95% CI: -0.02 to -0.03) for the orlistat + placebo group and -0.01 (95% CI: -0.02 to -0.03) and -0.02 (95% CI: -0.01 to -0.03) for the placebo group.
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study of orlistat in obese and overweight subjects with or without obesity, the efficacy of orlistat in treatment of overweight and obesity was demonstrated.
Orlistat has been shown to cause mild side effects in some individuals. Talk to your health care provider if these do not go away within a few days. If you begin to experience more serious effects, seek medical attention immediately.
Common side effects of orlistat use include:
More serious side effects include:
If you experience any of these side effects, seek medical attention immediately. These are symptoms of a serious adverse reaction–or allergic reaction–to this medication and require treatment right away.
Orlistat has been shown to affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E and K). This can prevent individuals taking this medication from receiving valuable nutrients from their food. Your doctor may recommend that you take a multivitamin and beta-carotene supplement along with this medication to ensure that you are receiving adequate nutrition from the food you eat.
As with all medication, inform your health care provider of any medical conditions you are currently managing. Let them know if you have or ever had kidney stones, diabetes, liver disease, gallbladder disease, thyroid disease, or an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia). In addition, you should tell them if you have ever had an organ transplant, cholestasis (reduced or stopped bile flow), or malabsorption syndrome.
Tell your provider about any and all medication, prescription drugs, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment with orlistat. Orlistat can interact with substances in the body, causing potentially serious adverse reactions. Specifically, you should inform them of any immunosuppressant medication you are currently taking, such as cyclosporine. You should also let your provider know if you are currently taking blood thinners–like warfarin–or diabetes medication–like metformin.
In addition, let your doctor know if you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are currently breastfeeding before starting treatment with this medication.
Let your doctor know if you are:You should not take or eat uncontrolled or high-fat foods or alcohol while you are taking this medication. This includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, that treat pain. You should not take or eat foods that contain fat– like eggs, nuts, and broken bonds–unless you are assigned to treatment.
Some medications and substances May interact with orlistat, including certain anticoagulants, street drugs (like Pfizer’s blood thinners- Coumadin, Jantoven), other centrally-acting or antipsychotic medications (like lorazepam), and},{" medications.