Weight Loss Drugs Prescription and OTC »
Taking a weight loss drug may not result in weight loss by itself. But using diet pills can help an overweight person stay on a diet because nearly all of these medications work on suppressing appetite. "Feeling full" is believed to be related to a number of biochemical processes in the body. Signals to indicate fullness come from fat cells and the gastrointestinal tract; these converge with signals in the central nervous system. Appetite suppressants target a couple of key neurotransmitters in this process: serotonin and norepinephrine. Increased levels of serotonin result in a feeling of fullness. Increasing norepinephrine levels stimulate the central nervous system, decreasing appetite. Only one drug among the weight loss medications works in a different way. Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) works in the gastrointestinal tract to prevent absorption of about a third of ingested fat.
|
|
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Xenical (orlistat) is a drug that is used to help with weight loss by preventing the digestion and absorption of fat in food by inhibiting the enzyme lipase in the intestine. The most common side effects of Xenical are oily spotting on underwear, flatulence, urgent bowel movements, fatty or oily stools, increased number of bowel movements, abdominal pain, and incontinence of stool.
Xenical is taken as oral capsules. Xenical may reduce the absorption and blood levels of cyclosporine when both drugs are administered together. Xenical may also cause vitamin K levels to decline, and patients taking warfarin (Coumadin) must have their blood clotting monitored closely. The safety of Xenical in pregnancy and nursing mothers has not been determined.
Our Xenical Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements and disease and conditions.
What is Prescribing information?
The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.
XENICAL is indicated for obesity management including weight loss and weight maintenance when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet. XENICAL is also indicated to reduce the risk for weight regain after prior weight loss. XENICAL is indicated for obese patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² Âor ≥ 27 kg/m² Âin the presence of other risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia).
Table 1 illustrates body mass index (BMI) according to a variety of weights and heights. The BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilogra...
Read the complete drug monograph for Xenical »
Drug Description - Indications & Dosage - Side Effects & Drug Interactions - Warnings & Precautions - Contraindications - Medication Guide and More
What is Patient information?
Easy-to-read and understand detailed drug information and pill images for the patient or caregiver from Cerner Multum.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking orlistat and call your doctor at once if you have severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, and a fast heart rate. These could be signs of pancreatitis.
The following side effects occur commonly with the use of orlistat. They are the natural effects of orlistat's fat-blocking action and are actually signs that the medication is working properly. These side effects are u...
Read the complete patient information for Xenical »
Possible Side Effects - Images - What Is - How Should I Take It - What If I Miss a Dose - What Should I Avoid and More
What is Consumer information?
A concise overview of the drug for the patient or caregiver from First DataBank.
Dietary fats need to be broken down into smaller pieces before the body can absorb them. Orlistat works by blocki...
Read the complete consumer information for Xenical »
Warnings - Uses - How to Use - Side Effects - Precautions - Drug Interactions and More
Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Xenical sorted by most helpful.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Find out what women really need.
Copyright © 2012 by WebMD, LLC.
RxList does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.
Updated & New