Xenical

Key features:

Weight loss medication.
Dosage: One tablet, three times a day with meals.
Primary function: Blocks fat absorption from food.

Xenical is a weight loss medication designed to be taken as one tablet three times a day with meals. Its primary function is to block the absorption of fats from your diet. This means that while carbohydrates and proteins are used for calories, the fats are not absorbed, effectively passing through your system unused. As a result, Xenical significantly reduces the number of calories gained from fat, supporting weight loss and management efforts.

What is Xenical?

Xenical, known generically as Orlistat, is a prescription medication used for weight loss and obesity management in the UK. It’s specifically designed for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above, or those with a BMI of 28 or above who have additional health risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. The primary function of Xenical is to inhibit the absorption of fats from one’s diet, thereby reducing calorie intake. This is achieved by blocking the action of lipases, enzymes in the digestive system that break down fat. Xenical is most effective when taken in conjunction with a balanced, low-fat diet and regular exercise. Administered orally, it’s typically taken three times a day with each main meal containing fat. While Xenical can be a helpful tool in weight management, it may lead to gastrointestinal side effects due to undigested fats passing through the digestive system. Its use is a part of a broader approach to weight loss that includes healthy lifestyle changes.

Summary of Xenical:

Condition Prescribed For: Weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 28 or higher with weight-related conditions.
Class of Drug: Lipase Inhibitor
Active Ingredient: Orlistat 120mg
Available Strengths: 120mg
Possible Side Effects: Xenical, can have various side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Common side effects include headaches, abdominal pain or discomfort, and an urgent or increased need to open the bowels. Other gastrointestinal effects are common, such as flatulence with discharge, oily, liquid, or fatty stools, and in some cases, faecal incontinence. Users may also experience bloating, tooth or gum disorders, changes in menstrual cycles, and tiredness. Additionally, those with Type 2 diabetes may notice lower blood sugar levels. Less common but notable side effects include discomfort in the rectum, soft stools, and loss of control over bowel movements (for a comprehensive list please refer to the patient information leaflet).

How Xenical works:

Xenical, known generically as Orlistat, operates as a weight loss aid by specifically targeting the body’s fat digestion process. Its primary mechanism is to inhibit lipases, enzymes in the digestive system responsible for breaking down fats in the diet. When taken with meals, Xenical attaches to these enzymes, preventing them from effectively processing about 30% of the fat consumed. This unabsorbed fat then passes through the body without being digested, resulting in its excretion in the stool. As a consequence, the overall calorie intake from fats is reduced, which can contribute to weight loss. However, it’s essential to understand that Xenical is most beneficial when used in conjunction with a balanced, calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise, serving to enhance the effects of these lifestyle changes rather than replacing them. This approach helps in achieving and maintaining a healthier weight by decreasing the total calorie intake.

Patient information leaflet:
For more information on this prescription medicine please refer to the  Xenical patient information leaflet.

How do I use Xenical?

The standard dosage for Xenical 120mg capsules is one capsule taken three times daily with each main meal. It’s crucial to adhere to the dosage prescribed by your prescriber, so if there’s any uncertainty, do seek their advice. Each capsule should be swallowed with a sip of water.

It’s important to always follow the instructions, making sure not to exceed the recommended maximum dosage.

For a comprehensive list of instructions regarding Xenical, refer to the patient information leaflet available above.

Safety and Precautions:

Xenical, containing Orlistat, is unsuitable for children and should not be used by individuals allergic to Orlistat or any other components of the medication. It’s contraindicated for those with chronic malabsorption syndrome, cholestasis, or a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 30 (28 if accompanied by a weight-related condition). Before starting Xenical, inform your doctor if you have kidney problems, epilepsy, or diabetes.

Alcohol should be avoided while taking Xenical, as it can increase calorie intake, undermining the medication’s effectiveness.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take Xenical due to potential risks to the baby. If concerned about weight gain during or after pregnancy, seek advice from healthcare professionals.

It’s important to disclose any other medications, including over-the-counter and herbal remedies, to your doctor. This is particularly crucial if you’re on medications like anticoagulants, ciclosporin, thyroid treatments, amiodarone, HIV medications, or treatments for depression, psychiatric disorders, anxiety, epilepsy, or diabetes.

Do not use Xenical if you have digestive disorders, gallbladder problems, are pregnant, have had an organ transplant, or are using cyclosporine.

Xenical is part of a comprehensive treatment program including diet, exercise, and weight control. Avoid high-fat diets while on Xenical to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

Before taking Xenical, ensure you do not have gallbladder problems and are not pregnant. If you have a history of kidney stones, pancreatitis, underactive thyroid, liver disease, kidney disease, or eating disorders, inform your doctor.

Xenical can affect the absorption of certain vitamins.

Common side effects:

Most side effects of Xenical are mild and occur at the start of treatment, particularly after high-fat meals. If symptoms persist, inform your doctor. Very common side effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 users) include headaches, abdominal pain, an urgent need to open the bowels, and flatulence with discharge. Common side effects (affecting 1 to 10 in 100 users) are rectal discomfort, soft stools, incontinence, bloating (in some with Type 2 diabetes), tooth/gum disorders, menstrual irregularities, and tiredness.

Other reported side effects, though their frequency is unknown, include allergic reactions, skin issues, diverticulitis, rectal bleeding, liver enzyme changes, hepatitis, gallstones, pancreatitis, and oxalate nephropathy (which may lead to kidney stones). If symptoms like yellowing skin and eyes, itching, dark urine, stomach pain, or liver tenderness occur, stop taking Xenical and consult your doctor immediately.

For a comprehensive list of side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet with your medication. If you experience these or any other side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Severe side effects, such as allergic reactions, require immediate medical attention. For more details on reporting medication side effects, see the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.

When should Xenical not be used?

Xenical should not be used in the following circumstances:

– If you have an allergy or hypersensitivity to orlistat or any other ingredients in Xenical.
– If you suffer from chronic malabsorption syndrome, which is a condition where your body is unable to adequately absorb nutrients from the digestive tract.
– If you have cholestasis, a type of liver disorder.
– If you are breastfeeding.