Xenical: Uses, indications and precautions when using

Xenical is a medication that is used in conjunction with a physical exercise regimen, behavior modification, and calorie-restricted nutrition program with the ultimate goal of weight loss.
Xenical is used for people who are overweight, such as people who are obese or have weight-related diseases. Xenical's active ingredient, orlistat, also helps users not regain the lost weight.
Losing weight and maintaining an ideal weight can reduce many of the health risks associated with obesity, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and reduced life expectancy.
The amount of fat taken into the body needs an enzyme to break them down into smaller components before being absorbed. Orlistat inhibits enzymes that break down dietary fat. This undigested fat passes out of the body through the stool. Note that orlistat does not block the absorption of energy from sugar and fat-free foods, so users still need to limit their total calorie intake.

If the user buys and uses Xenical on their own, please read all instructions on the product packaging carefully before use. If your doctor has prescribed Xenical, the patient should find out the drug information if available from the pharmacist before starting to use it.
Take Xenical as directed by your doctor with plenty of water with meals containing fat or within 1 hour after meals, usually 3 times daily. If you do not eat or because the meal does not contain fat, the user should skip the dose of Xenical. To reduce the risk of unpleasant side effects, users should note that the amount of calories from fat in the diet should not exceed 30%. Daily intake of fat, protein and carbohydrates should be divided equally among 3 main meals.
Do not increase your dose or use Xenical more often or for longer than prescribed. Being overweight will not improve any faster and your risk of side effects from Xenical will increase.
Xenical may interfere with the absorption of some vitamins (fat-soluble vitamins including A, D, E, K), users should take a daily multivitamin supplement as recommended. Note that multivitamins need to be taken at least 2 hours before or after taking Xenical pills.
If you are being treated with cyclosporin, take it at least 3 hours before or after taking Xenical to ensure that the entire dose of cyclosporin is absorbed into the bloodstream. If the patient is taking levothyroxine, it should be taken at least 4 hours before or after the orlistat dose.
Users who will see weight loss within 2 weeks of starting Xenical, should notify their doctor if weight condition does not improve or regain weight.

Changes in the user's intestinal function often occur due to the amount of fat not being absorbed. Common signs include fatty/oily stools, an urge to have a bowel movement, increased frequency of bowel movements, or difficulty controlling bowel movements. Xenical side effects can get worse if the user eats more fat than necessary. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor immediately.
If the doctor has instructed the patient to use Xenical, it means that they judge the benefit to be greater than the risk of side effects.
Stop taking Xenical and tell your doctor right away if you experience rare but serious side effects such as: symptoms of liver disease (such as persistent, severe, severe nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, urine). darkening, yellowing of the eyes/skin), symptoms of kidney stones (such as back pain, pain when urinating, pink/bloody urine).
The article does not include a complete list of possible side effects when taking Xenical. If you notice other effects of Xenical medicine not listed above, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Before taking Xenical, users should be aware of a history of previous orlistat allergy or any other allergies. Xenical products may contain inactive ingredients and may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Before using Xenical, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your previous medical history, especially:
Gastrointestinal disease (such as chronic malabsorption syndrome); Gallbladder abnormalities or bladder problems; Hypothyroidism pathology ; Kidney stones or pathology (eg, calcium oxalate stones, hyperoxaluria); Certain eating disorders (anorexia/ bulimia); HIV infection; Convulsions. If you have diabetes, losing weight can improve your blood sugar control, so it's important to check your blood sugar regularly and let your doctor know the results. Your doctor may need to adjust your glucose control medication, exercise program, or diet.
Xenical is not for use by pregnant women. Weight loss offers no potential benefit to a pregnant woman and may harm an unborn baby. If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant while using Xenical, tell your doctor immediately.
The ability of Xenical medicine to pass into breast milk has not been well studied, so consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug interactions can affect how Xenical works or increase your risk of serious side effects.
Some products that may interact with Xenical include: anticoagulants (such as warfarin), HIV medicines (such as atazanavir, efavirenz, emtricitabine, lopinavir, ritonavir, tenofovir).
If the patient is taking medication to treat seizures, orlistat may cause these drugs to not work as well. Stop taking Xenical and tell your doctor right away if seizures become more frequent or get worse.
If Xenical has been prescribed for the patient alone, do not share it with others.
For best results, Xenical should be used in conjunction with a doctor-approved exercise program and diet plan. Consult your doctor or dietitian for help designing an exercise plan and the right foods.
If a dose is missed, take Xenical as soon as you remember unless it has been 1-2 hours since your meal. In that case, skip the missed dose because most of the fat from the meal has been absorbed and the medicine will not work.
Store Xenical at room temperature, away from direct light and high humidity. Do not store Xenical medicine in the bathroom and keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush Xenical down the toilet or down the drain unless it has expired or is no longer in use.
Knowing the information about Xenical before using it always brings positive effects and reduces risks for patients. If you have any questions, you can send them to Vinmec International General Hospital to receive in-depth advice from a team of doctors and pharmacists with many years of experience.

Reference source: webmd.com