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Possible Side Effect
The most common side effect of Xenical is changes in bowel movement (BM) habits. This generally occurs during the first weeks of treatment; however, it may continue throughout your use of Xenical. Tel
l 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 oily
discharge
- increased number of BMs
- inability to control BMs
- orange or brown color of a BM
- stomach pain
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If you experience any of the following symptoms, cal
l your doctor immediately:
- itching
- redness of skin
- skin rash or hives
- swelling
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- fever
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Overdosage
There is no report for massive overdose of Xenical. Although the drug seems relatively harmless, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical
attention.
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How to Use
Xenical prevents the absorption of some of the fat you eat. Therefore, you should take it during the meal or within 1 hour of eating. If you occasionally miss a meal or eat a meal that contains no fat
, you should skip the dose of Xenical.
Because Xenical may decrease the amount of some vitamins that your body can absorb from food, you will need to take a multivitamin supplement once a da
y. Take the vitamin supplement at least 2 hours before or after taking Xenical
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Before Using This Medicine
Pregnancy¡XXenical has not been studied in pregnant women. However, Xenical may decrease the amount of certain vitamins that your body can absorb from the food you eat. Make sure you have discussed wi
h your doctor the use of this medication during pregnancy.
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Diet Program
Follow the diet program your doctor has given you. You should evenly divide your daily intake of fat, carbohydrates, and protein over three main meals. If Xenical is taken with a meal very high in fat
(30% total daily calories from fat), you may experience more side effects from the medication.
Xenical blocks your body's uptake of some fat-soluble vitamins and beta carotene. Therefore, wh
en you use Xenical you should take a daily multivitamin supplement that contains vitamins A, E, K, and beta-carotene. Take the vitamin once a day, 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Xenical, or ta
ke the vitamin at bedtime.
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Why is this medication prescribed?
Xenical blocks absorption of dietary fat into the bloodstream, thereby reducing the number of calories you get from a meal. At the usual dosage level, it cuts fat absorption by almost one-third. Combi
ned with a low-calorie diet, it is used to promote weight loss and discourage the return of unwanted pounds.
The drug is prescribed for the frankly obese and for merely overweight people who
have other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels. Your weight status is determined by your body mass index (BMI), a comparison of height to weight.
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