Xenical Orlistat is a star in the war on obesity

Xenical is a prescription fat-fighting pill that blocks an enzyme in the gastrointestinal tract and decreases the absorption of dietary fats by about 33%. This is the only lipase inhibiting drug. An enzyme called lipase, primarily produced by the pancreas, breaks down the fat in the food so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This breakdown takes place in the intestines. The unabsorbed fat is excreted in the stool.

Xenical is indicated for the management of obesity as well as weight loss and weight maintenance. But, it must be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Moreover, Xenical also reduces the risk of weight regain. It also improves certain obesity-related conditions, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Xenical works non-systemically in the gastrointestinal tract and is therefore comparatively safe. The recommended Xenical dosage is 120mg thrice a day. It is recommended that Orlistat be taken one hour after or during a meal containing about 15mg of fat per meal. But if you eat fat-free meals, you do not require taking Orlistat. Eating a nutritionally balanced, reduced calorie diet hugely benefits the individual taking Xenical.

Most dietary vitamins like A, D, E and beta- carotene are fat binding vitamins. During Orlistat's mechanism of action, these vitamins also remain unabsorbed and are therefore eliminated in the stool in increased amounts along with the fat. Therefore, people on Orlistat should take a regular course of "fat-soluble" vitamins so that adequate levels of vitamins are available for absorption. To ensure this, the vitamins must be taken at least two hours before or after taking orlistat.

How to use Xenical Orlistat?

Xenical Orlistat is combined with a reduced-calorie diet to promote weight loss. Orlistat also may be used to prevent weight gain after weight has been lost. This weight loss drug is generally administered to people who are obese with a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m2. Candidates for Xenical also include patients with a BMI of between 27 to 30 kg/m2 if other risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and elevated blood cholesterol or triglycerides are present. Orlistat is stated to achieve an average weight loss of 12.4 to 13.4 pounds within six months to a year timeframe.

Xenical Precautions

As with all prescription drugs, it is also essential that Xenical be used with caution. Before taking Xenical, its warnings and precautions must be reviewed with our healthcare provider. Knowing Xenical warnings and precautions will ensure a safe, successful treatment process.

This includes telling the doctor about:

• A history of diabetes
• A medical problem, if any, that has resulted in excess weight
• Thyroid disorders
• Gallbladder problems
• Any organ transplant
• A medical problem that decreases your ability to absorb food
• An eating disorder like anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• Kidney stones
• Pancreatitis
• Cholestasis
• Your being allergic to the active and inactive ingredient in Xenical
• Certain allergies

In addition, the healthcare provider must be told if:

• You are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
• You are breastfeeding

The blood thinning effect of warfarin (Coumadin), works effectively when a certain amount of vitamin K is present in the body. As, vitamin K is one of the vitamins that binds to fat, it is essential that people receiving warfarin have their blood clotting monitored closely.

Xenical Orlistat may also reduce the assimilation and blood levels of cyclosporine (Sandimmune) when both drugs are administered together. Therefore, it is crucial that cyclosporine levels be monitored and be administered two hours before or after Orlistat.

It has come to light that when orlistat and levothyroxine are combined, it can result in Hypothyroidism. Therefore, patients taking combined doses must be monitored for changes in thyroid function. It is best to take both these drugs at least four hours apart.

Safety statistics for Orlistat during pregnancy have not been established. Similarly, secretion of Orlistat in breast milk has not been established. Therefore, both pregnant women and nursing mothers must avoid the use of Orlistat.

You must talk with the healthcare provider about the specific Xenical warnings and precautions that may apply to you.