Xenical

Drug General Information

Xenical is a medicine that is used to help people suffering from obesity lose weight and maintain weight loss. The operation of Xenical is based on the process of preventing some of the fat your body receives from being absorbed. This drug is to be administered with a balanced low-calorie diet. The effects of this drug continue over a period of treatment only.

Medicine taking

This drug is to be taken 3 times a day with some food. Follow the directions provided by your doctor. Do not exceed the dose recommended by the doctor. Your diet should be evenly distributed between three meals.

The missed dose is to be taken at the next meal. Do not take a double dose as this will not make the drug more efficient.

Precautions

Make sure you talk to your doctor if you have a chronic malabsorption syndrome, problems with gall bladder, history of kidney stones, diabetes, anorexia or bulimia; take other weight-loss medications or cyclosporine as these might be the contraindications. It might also be necessary to make some adjustments to your dose.

Xenical has been classified by the Food and Drug Administration as type “B” (harmless to the fetus), i.e. safe to take during pregnancy. However, make sure you consult your doctor in case you are pregnant or might conceive during the period of treatment. It is not known if Xenical passes into mother’s milk, so if you are breast-feeding, make sure you consult your doctor before using this drug.

Possible Side Effects

Consult your physician immediately in case of experiencing gas with discharge, an urgent need to go to the bathroom, oily stools, oily discharge, frequent bowel movements, unstable stool, inability to control bowel movements. These symptoms are a natural affects of fat blocking and are the indication of the drug effectiveness. The symptoms are usually temporary and are likely to go away in case you keep to the recommended diet.

A few other side effects may occur. Consult your physician if experiencing any side effects that appear to be bothersome.

In case of experiencing any of the serious side effects listed below stop taking Xenical and immediately consult you physician: rare allergic reaction (anhelation, closing of throat, swelling of lips, tongue, face; hives.

Storage

This medication is to be stored in a hermetic container at room temperature out of the reach of children. It is not to be exposed to the direct light or moisture. Do not use this medicine past its expiry date.

Overdose

The symptoms of this drug overdose are not known. In case of suspecting drug overdose immediately contact the doctor.

Additional Information

Keep to the recommended diet as you take this drug. As Xenical is likely to decrease the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins you might be also required to take multivitamins (D, E, K, beta-carotene) to ensure adequate nutrition.

When taking Xenical your daily intake of fat should not constitute more than 30% of the total intake.

Disclaimer

This information is intended for your personal use only and might not embrace all uses, instructions, precautions and adverse drug interaction. This information is general and not intended to be completely relied upon. We disclaim any responsibility for the credibility and dependability of the information provided and any effects caused by its use, including those related to any harm to a person or property, in case such effects take place. This information does not provide the reader with any kind of warranty.