Orlistat is the generic name for Xenical. Xenical is an obesity treatment drug and is used in conjugation with diet control program and exercises, to control the increased weight and reduce it to the possible limit.

Xenical is similar to Alli, but it is of high potency, hence it is not an over the counter drug and is strictly given only on prescriptions. Xenical is FDA approved drug and is used successfully all around the world.

Xenical is manufactured and supplied in the form of 120mg capsules. These capsules should be taken once in the morning, preferably half an hour before breakfast. The capsule should be taken as whole and ingested with a whole glass of water. The capsule should not be opened or chewed.

Mode of Action:

Xenical is a drug that promotes loss of weight by preventing the digestion and absorption of fat in food. In the intestine, an enzyme called lipase (produced primarily by the pancreas) breaks apart fat in food so that it can be absorbed into the body. Xenical blocks the action of lipase and thereby prevents the breakup and absorption of fat. Xenical blocks absorption of about 30% of the fat in a meal. The unabsorbed fat is excreted in the stool.

Side Effects:

The most common side effects of Xenical are oil spotting on underwear, flatulence, urgent bowel movements, fatty or oily stools, increased number of bowel movements, abdominal pain or discomfort, and inability to control stool (incontinence).

Between 1 in 250 and 1 in 70 patients experienced one or more of these symptoms in the first year. Generally, the side effects occurred within three months of starting therapy. In about 50% of patients, the side effects resolved within one to four weeks, but the effects in some patients lasted six months or longer. To reduce the occurrence of these side effects, meals should contain no more than 30% fat because it is the unabsorbed fat that causes most of the symptoms.

Precautions:

Patients with gastric disturbances.
Patients with absorption problems or with malabsorption diseases.
Patients with hypothyroidism.
Patients with history of allergies to drugs.
Patients with Diarrhea.
Patients with chronic kidney diseases.
Patients with previous history of kidney stones.
Patients who have urinary track infections.
Patients with anal sphincter problems.

Contraindications:

The following patients can not take this medication in any form, or in any case:

Patients with advanced malabsorption diseases.
Patients with chronic diarrhea.
Patients with BMI lower than 30.
Patients under 18 years of age.
Pregnant women.
Breast feeding mothers.
Patients with kidney stones.
Patients with anal sphincter failure or loss.
Patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Patients with lipid metabolic disorders.
Hypothyroidism patients.
Patients suffering from hyperoxaluria.
Patients with Anorexia or Bulimia.

Drug Interactions:

Taking any drug is a very critical procedure. It should never be attempted without letting your doctor know about this. Taking any weight loss pills along with Xenical can have drastic effects. Similarly the following drugs are also important to notify the doctor, if the patient is using one of them. They can affect each other and any harmful effects can prove fatal.

Blood thinners like Aspirin, Warfarin.
Cyclosporine.
Other weight loss medications.
Insulin.
Other Diabetes medications.
Certain multivitamins.

In case of over dosage of Xenical, the doctor should immediately be informed. The over dosage will be evident by the presence of following symptoms:

Diarrhea.
Oil like stools.
Abdominal cramps.
Seizures.
Blood spotting with stools.
Inability to control the stool.
Fever.

Note:

Xenical is a prescription medicine. Unlike Alli, it can not be taken on patients' own will. It has twice the potency of Alli, so should not be used as replacement to Alli. The mode of action is highly dependant on the fat intake, so as to reduce the side effects; fat intake should be no more than 39gms. Ideally it should be between 12-15gms per day. Xenical can not be given to elderly patients and patients under 18 years of age, as a replacement Alli is preferred in both cases.