Many people who are overweight look for that elusive miracle that can help them shed pounds. Sometimes the hopeful weight loss aid is a type for food; however, most often people looking for quick relief in the form of pills. Xenical is one of those weight loss medications that is taken in capsule form. The active ingredient in Xenical is Orlistat.
How does it Orlistat work?
Generic Xenical (Orlistat) 120 mg acts locally in the gut (intestine). It works by preventing enzymes (lipases) that break down fats in the gut, preventing the absorption of fat and allows it to pass through the body undigested. This in turn reduces the number of calories absorbed by your body. At the recommended dose of 120 mg three times a day, it is effective in preventing fat absorption by 30%.
How do I take it?
One capsule should be taken immediately before, during, or up to one hour after each main meal. If a meal is missed, or contains no fat, you should leave out the dose. This is because the medicine will have no effect if no fat has been consumed.
Each capsule should be swallowed whole with a drink of water.
Do not take more than three capsules per day. Higher doses have been shown to be no more effective.
How effective is it?
In studies, almost 70% of patients using Xenical lost 3% of their body weight within three months. Those taking Orlistat over a year lost almost 16lbs. Over a two year period, more than two thirds of people using Xenical along with a calorie controlled diet lost at least 5% of their body weight, which was enough to significantly decrease their likelihood of developing obesity-related diseases.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to make sure that the combination is safe.