Xenical

XENICAL is a prescription medication that can help considerably overweight people lose weight and keep it off.

How effective is XENICAL?
In clinical studies, people treated with XENICAL and a reduced-calorie diet with no more than 30% of calories from fat achieved significantly greater weight loss than people who were treated with diet alone.

The studies were designed with all participants eating a reduced-calorie diet for 4 weeks, followed by the diet plus XENICAL or the diet alone for 52 weeks. After 52 weeks, those taking XENICAL plus diet lost an average of twice as much weight as those who used the diet alone (approximately 13.4 lbs versus 5.8 lbs). Furthermore, 69.1% of patients receiving XENICAL lost 3% of their total body weight (an average of 13 lbs) after 3 months and 19 lbs after 1 year.

There is clear scientific evidence that if you are overweight, losing as little as 5% to 10% of your body weight can result in improved health. In studies of XENICAL, almost two-thirds of people treated with XENICAL plus diet successfully lost at least 5% of their body weight after 2 years. In comparison, only half of the people treated with diet alone managed to lose 5% of their weight.

Weight loss with XENICAL and a healthy diet also improves a number of weight-related health risks. Studies show that weight loss with XENICAL can:

Decrease total and LDL cholesterol (level of low-density lipoprotein-also known as bad cholesterol)
Improve ratio of bad to good cholesterol (LDL/HDL cholesterol)
Reduce blood pressure
Reduce levels of insulin (hormone that allows glucose or sugar to enter the body's cells), high levels of which are associated with coronary heart disease
Reduce the risk or delay the progression to type 2 diabetes in patients
Note: The long-term benefits of orlistat on weight-related illnesses and life expectancy have not been studied.

How thoroughly has XENICAL been tested?
The effects of XENICAL on weight loss, weight maintenance and weight regain, as well as the effects of weight loss with XENICAL on other weight-related health problems (such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure), have been assessed in seven 1-to-2-year, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. These studies included more than 4100 patients.

What is the difference between XENICAL and other weight-loss medications?
Unlike other commonly prescribed weight-loss medications, XENICAL is not an appetite suppressant and does not have a direct effect on the brain. Instead, it works in your digestive system to block about one-third of the fat in the food you eat from being digested. Check out What Does XENICAL Do? for a demonstration of how XENICAL works.

How do I know if I'm ready for XENICAL?
To use XENICAL effectively you must be committed to:

Talking with your doctor.
Following the proper medication schedule.
Eating a reduced-calorie diet with no more than 30% of calories from fat.
Monitoring your food intake.
Taking a multivitamin every day.
Setting realistic, achievable weight-loss goals you can feel good about.

Can I take XENICAL with other medications?
Discuss with your doctor all medications you are currently taking (including over-the-counter medicines and herbal products you can get without a prescription) to determine if XENICAL can be taken along with these medications. If you are taking cyclosporine, let your doctor know before taking XENICAL; cyclosporine and XENICAL should be taken at least 2 hours apart. If your cyclosporine levels are being measured, more-frequent measurements may be necessary while you’re taking XENICAL.

Should I take a multivitamin with XENICAL?
Because XENICAL interferes with your body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins, you should take a daily multivitamin supplement that contains vitamins D, E and K and beta carotene once a day at least 2 hours before or after taking XENICAL, such as at bedtime.

How long should I use XENICAL?
The use of XENICAL for more than 2 years has not been studied. You and your doctor should discuss how long you should use XENICAL.

If XENICAL works only on the fat in the foods I've eaten, how do I lose the fat on my body?
By consuming fewer calories, your body will automatically tap into its fat stores and use them for the energy it needs.

If I take XENICAL, can I eat whatever I want?
The XENICAL dietary guidelines do not place any particular food out of bounds. But you may not be able to eat a lot of a particular food if it is high in calories or, especially, if it is high in fat.

What happens if I miss a dose or take more than the recommended dose?
If you miss a dose, you simply lose the benefit of XENICAL in blocking one-third of the fat in the food you eat at that meal. Simply resume taking XENICAL at your next meal containing fat. In clinical trials, taking additional doses of XENICAL did not improve weight loss.

How soon after starting XENICAL should I expect to notice weight loss?
Typically, people begin losing weight within 2 weeks of starting XENICAL, and may continue to lose weight for 6 to 12 months, at which point weight loss usually begins to level off - even if you’re still taking XENICAL. This doesn’t mean that XENICAL is not working. People who continue to take XENICAL are better able to maintain their weight loss. Keep your doctor informed about your progress so that he or she can make sure your diet and your level of physical activity remain appropriate to your weight-loss goals. Once you reach your initial goal, you may want to set a new goal and have your doctor re-evaluate your calorie and activity levels.

How much weight should I expect to lose?
The amount of weight you lose depends on how well you stick to a reduced-calorie diet with no more than 30% of calories from fat and an appropriate physical activity level, as well as on your compliance with the prescribed medication regimen.

I've been taking XENICAL for 2 weeks, but I haven't seen any weight loss yet. What am I doing wrong?
If you believe that you haven't lost any -- or enough -- weight, contact your doctor. He or she may need to readjust either the calorie restriction of your diet or your activity level. Your doctor may suggest that you maintain a Daily Diary to get an idea of how many calories and grams of fat you are actually consuming on a daily basis. If you have been keeping a food diary, be sure to show it to your doctor. Also, be sure to enroll in the XENICare patient support program for additional support and helpful resources.

I'm still following the XENICAL plan, but I've stopped losing weight. Why?
This is known as plateauing or leveling off, and it's perfectly normal. However, you should let your doctor know; he or she may need to readjust your calorie restriction and/or your activity level.

To maintain your new weight, you'll need fewer calories than when you started the XENICAL program. As the body loses weight, it needs less energy, or calories. On the other hand, if you've been increasing your physical activity level, you might be building muscle and losing fat, thereby replacing weight from fat with weight from muscle.

Your doctor may ask you if you've seen any changes in your body measurements, such as that of your chest/breast, abdomen, waist and hips. If you've kept a monthly record of your body measurements, be sure to show this to your doctor.