Xenical 120mg

Xenical, or Orlistat, in its generic form, works by reducing the amount of fat absorbed from your diet; it is not an appetite suppressant. When fat enters the body, it is broken down by enzymes called lipases, so that the body can digest it. Xenical (Orlistat) attaches itself to the enzymes in the body so that they cannot break down the fat, which stops about one third of the fat from your meal from being absorbed, so that your body passes the fat rather than storing it.

The undigested fat is then passed through your digestive system with no unwanted effects on your heart rate or sleeping pattern. Orlistat has been tested in hundreds of clinical studies and has proven to be very safe, yet very efficient.

Xenical (Orlistat) should only be used by those who are medically obese; those with a BMI of 30 or more.

Xenical(Orlistat) is a 120mg capsule which should be taken with each meal that does not have more than 30% of its calories from fat. Xenical( Orlistat) should be swallowed whole, with water. It can be taken up to three times per day, just before eating, with a meal or up to an hour afterwards. It should not be taken with a meal that does not contain any fat and if a meal is missed then the Xenical (Orlistat) should not be taken. A multivitamin should be taken a couple of hours after taking Xenical(Orlistat), or at bedtime to ensure your body retains its necessary levels of vitamins A, D, E and K.

You should see a reduction of around 5% of your body weight within the first twelve weeks; if you have not seen any results in this time, Xenical( Orlistat) may not be the weight loss aid for you. Xenical(Orlistat) should only be used until you reach a BMI of 28.

Your results can be greatly enhanced  by following a calorie controlled diet and partaking in regular exercise. Xenical(Orlistat) should be taken with a nutritionally balanced, low calorie diet that has no more than about 30% of calories from fat. Taking Xenical with any meal high in fat (more than 30% fat) may make the potential side effects worse.

The side effects are usually mild and don’t affect everybody, but could include:

• Headaches
• Low blood sugar
• Stomach pain / trapped wind
• Increase in regularity of bowel movements
• Oily or loose stools
• Oily discharge

For information, support and motivation visit www.nhs.uk/weightloss

Patient Information Leaflet for Xenical 120mg