Orlistat (By mouth)

Introduction:

Orlistat (OR-li-stat)

Used as part of a diet plan to help you lose weight and to help keep the lost weight from returning.

Brand Name(s):

Xenical, Alli

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Take this medicine with liquid at each main meal during the day. Each meal should contain no more than 30% of calories from fat.
• Orlistat works by keeping your intestines from absorbing some of the fats from food. The undigested fat goes out of your body in your bowel movements.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a meal or eat a fat-free meal, you can skip your dose of this medicine.
• If you forget to take the medicine with a meal, you may take it up to 1 hour after your meal. If it has been longer than 1 hour since your meal, do not take the medicine. Wait until it is time for your next meal to take the medicine.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®). Cyclosporine must be used at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you use orlistat.
• Tell your doctor if you are using dietary supplements (including herbal products). You may be told to use a multivitamin that contains vitamins D, E, and K, and beta-carotene. Extra vitamins may be needed because orlistat keeps you from absorbing certain kinds of vitamins from food. If you use multivitamins, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking orlistat. You may want to take your multivitamin at bedtime.
• Tell your doctor if you are also using levothyroxine (Levothroid®, Levoxyl®, Synthroid®). Levothyroxine must be used at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take this medicine.
• Your doctor should know if you are also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), medicine to treat diabetes (such as insulin, glyburide, glipizide, metformin, Glucophage®, or Glucotrol®), or any other medicines to help you lose weight.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease, kidney stones, underactive thyroid, or an eating disorder (such as anorexia or bulimia).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes. Your doctor may need to change your diabetes medicine if you change your diet or lose weight.
• The amount of calories from fat in your meals should be no more than 30% of the total calories for each meal. Side effects can be worse if you eat a meal that has a high amount of fat. Divide your daily intake of fat evenly over your 3 main meals that you eat each day.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. Talk with your doctor or health caregiver about a healthy and well balanced eating plan that you should follow. Ask your doctor or health caregiver before starting any exercise program.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain.
• Changes in menstrual periods.
• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
• Feeling unable to control bowel movements, or feeling like you need to have a bowel movement right away.
• Headache.
• Increase in how often you have a bowel movement.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Oil or fat in your bowel movements.
• Passing gas with your bowel movements.
• Passing oil from your rectum.
• Runny or stuffy nose.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: