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What side effects may occur?
The most common side effect of orlistat is changes in bowel movement (BM) habits. This generally occurs during the first weeks of treatment; however, it may continue throughout your use of orlistat. T
ell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- oily, spotting BMs
- gas with discharge
- urgent need to have a BM
- oily or fatty stools
- an oi
ly discharge
- increased number of BMs
- inability to control BMs
- orange or brown color of a BM
- stomach pain
-
If you experience any of the following symptoms, c
all your doctor immediately:
- itching
- redness of skin
- skin rash or hives
- swelling
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- fever
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Other medical problems
Older adults¡XThere is no specific information comparing use of orlistat in the elderly with use in younger adults. However, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems i
older people than it does in younger adults.
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How should you take this medication?
Orlistat comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day with each main meal that contains fat. Each time you take orlistat, your meal should contain no more than about 30%
of calories from fat. Take orlistat during or up to 1 hour after a meal. If a meal is missed or does not have fat, you may skip your dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, a
nd ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Orlistat is in a class of drugs called lipase inhibitors. It works in your intestines, where it blocks some of the
fat you eat from being absorbed and disgested. This undigested fat is then removed in your bowel movements (BM).
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Significant Interactions:
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to c
hange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking orlistat, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking the following:
- Warf
arin¡XOrlistat may decrease the absorption of vitamin K and may change your bleeding time
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What is this Drug
Orlistat is used with a low-calorie diet to help you lose weight and to maintain your weight after weight loss. Orlistat is used in patients with a certain weight who may also have high blood pressure
, diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
- Orlistat is in a class of drugs called lipase inhibitors. It works in your intestines, where it blocks some of the fat you eat from being abs
orbed and disgested. This undigested fat is then removed in your bowel movements (BM).
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Special warnings about this medication
To help you get started on reducing the fat in your diet to about 30%, read the labels on all the foods you buy. While you are taking orlistat, you should avoid foods that have more than 30% fat. When
eating meat, poultry (chicken) or fish, eat only 2 or 3 ounces (about the size of a deck of cards). Choose lean cuts of meat and remove the skin from poultry. Fill up your meal plate with more grains
, fruits, and vegetables. Replace whole-milk products with nonfat or 1% milk and reduced- or low-fat dairy items. Cook with less fat. Use vegetable oil spray when cooking. Salad dressings; many baked
items; and prepackaged, processed, and fast foods are usually high in fat. Use the low- or non-fat versions of these foods and/or cut back on serving sizes.
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