What is the most important information I should know about orlistat?
Do not take orlistat if you are pregnant. Weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy.
You should not use orlistat if you have a digestive disorder (problems absorbing food). You should not use Xenical if you have gallbladder problems, or if you are pregnant. Do not use alli if you have had an organ transplant, if you use cyclosporine, or if you are not overweight.
What is orlistat?
Orlistat blocks some of the fat that you eat, keeping it from being absorbed by your body.
Orlistat is used to aid in weight loss, or to help reduce the risk of regaining weight already lost. This medicine must be used together with a reduced-calorie diet. Orlistat is for use only in adults.
Xenical is the prescription-strength form of orlistat. The alli brand of orlistat is available without a prescription.
Orlistat may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking orlistat?
You should not use orlistat if you are allergic to it, or if you have malabsorption syndrome (an inability to absorb food and nutrients properly).
You also should not use Xenical if you have:
- gallbladder problems; or
- if you are pregnant.
Do not use alli if:
- you are not overweight;
- you have had an organ transplant; or
- you use cyclosporine (to prevent organ transplant rejection).
To make sure orlistat is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- kidney stones;
- gallbladder disease;
- pancreatitis;
- underactive thyroid;
- liver disease;
- kidney disease; or
- an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia).
Do not use orlistat if you are pregnant. Weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy, even if you are overweight. Stop taking orlistat and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Taking orlistat can make it harder for your body to absorb certain vitamins. These vitamins are important if you are nursing a baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Xenical is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old. Do not give alli to anyone under 18 years old.
How should I take orlistat?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Never share orlistat with another person, especially someone with a history of eating disorders.
Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Orlistat is usually taken 3 times per day with each main meal that contains some fat (no more than 30% of the calories for that meal). You may take the medicine either with your meal or up to 1 hour after eating.
If you skip a meal or you eat a meal that does not contain any fat, skip your orlistat dose for that meal.
The fat content of your daily diet should not be greater than 30% of your total daily caloric intake. For example, if you eat 1200 calories per day, no more than 360 of those calories should be in the form of fat.
Read the label of all food items you consume, paying special attention to the number of servings per container. Your doctor, nutrition counselor, or dietitian can help you develop a healthy eating plan.
Orlistat is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Your daily intake of fat, protein, and carbohydrates should be evenly divided over all of your daily meals. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Orlistat can make it harder for your body to absorb certain vitamins, and you may need to take a vitamin and mineral supplement while you are taking orlistat. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type of supplement to use. Take the supplement at bedtime, or at least 2 hours before or after you take orlistat.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed. Throw away any unused orlistat after the expiration date on the medicine label has passed.
Keep track of your medicine. Orlistat is a drug that may be misused as a weight-loss aid, and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but no more than 1 hour after eating a meal. If it has been more than an hour since your last meal, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking orlistat?
Avoid eating high-fat meals or you could have unpleasant side effects on your stomach or intestines.
If you also take cyclosporine, do not take it within 3 hours before or 3 hours after you take orlistat.
If you also take levothyroxine (such as Synthroid), do not take it within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take orlistat.
What are the possible side effects of orlistat?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using orlistat and call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe stomach pain;
- severe pain in your lower back;
- blood in your urine, painful or difficult urination;
-
kidney problems --little or no urinating; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath; or
-
liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects of this medicine are caused by orlistat's fat-blocking action. These are signs that the medicine is working properly. These side effects are usually temporary and may lessen as you continue using orlistat:
- oily or fatty stools;
- oily spotting in your undergarments;
- orange or brown colored oil in your stool;
- gas and oily discharge;
- loose stools, or an urgent need to go to the bathroom, inability to control bowel movements;
- an increased number of bowel movements; or
- stomach pain, nausea, rectal pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect orlistat?
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use orlistat if you are also using any of the following drugs:
- amiodarone;
- insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
- HIV or AIDS medications;
- seizure medicine (especially if your seizures get worse while taking orlistat);
- a vitamin or mineral supplement that contains beta-carotene or vitamin E; or
-
a blood thinner --warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with orlistat, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about orlistat.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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