| Xenical medication is used with a reduced-calorie diet to help significantly overweight persons lose weight. It also helps to prevent regaining weight previously lost. Orlistat works by blocking some of the fat normally digested by the intestine. Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you use, especially of: cyclosporine, "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin), other drugs used for weight loss. Cyclosporine should be taken at least 2 hours before or after orlistat to assure maximum absorption of the cyclosporine into your bloodstream. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Take this drug by mouth, generally three times daily during (or up to one hour after) each main meal that contains fat. Your daily intake of fat, protein and carbohydrate should be evenly spread over three main meals. If a meal is occasionally missed or contains no fat, skip that dose of the medication. Because this drug can interfere with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (e.g., A,D,E,K), a daily multivitamin supplement containing these nutrients is recommended. Take the multivitamin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after this drug (e.g., at bedtime). The effects of this drug may begin as soon as 1-2 days after treatment begins; noticeable weight loss will take longer. Dry mouth, drowsiness, constipation and difficulty sleeping may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. |