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There are many weight-loss drugs on the market. Most work by decreasing your appetite so that you’re more likely to eat smaller meals. Xenical (also known by its generic name, orlistat, and its over-the-counter name, Alli) is different. It works by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from the food you eat. Read on to learn about the effectiveness, benefits, dosage, and possible risks of Xenical. Lose 15% of your body weight Ro’s 12-month Body Program helps you lose an average of 15% body weight Learn moreWhat is Xenical (orlistat)?Xenical is a weight-loss drug for people with obesity. It’s available only by prescription. The generic name for Xenical is orlistat. Xenical works by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from the foods you eat. A lower-dose, over-the-counter (OTC) version of Xenical is available without a prescription. Its brand name is Alli. Xenical usesThe FDA approves Xenical for the treatment of obesity. It can be used for weight loss, as well as weight management once you’ve lost weight. It is best used when combined with a reduced-calorie diet (National Library, 2020).  Weight loss motivation: 5 tips for keeping up your momentumWeight management Last updated: Sep 02, 2021 6 min read Does Xenical work for losing weight?Xenical has been shown to be effective in lowering body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. Studies showed that one year of using Xenical could result in losing 5–10% or more of your starting weight (FDA, 2009). There can be other benefits of Xenical as well, including (Bansal, 2020):
Xenical should be combined with a reduced-calorie diet to be most effective. Orlistat side effectsCommon side effects of orlistat include (National Library, 2020):
These side effects are more likely to happen if you take Xenical with a high-fat meal (that is, more than 30% of the calories are from fat). If you avoid eating a lot of dietary fats with a meal, you may be less likely to have these side effects. Some people taking Xenical have reported severe liver injury. However, it’s not known whether Xenical caused the damage. Xenical dosageXenical comes in 120 mg capsules. The typical recommended dose of Xenical is one capsule three times per day, taken with your main meals, though your healthcare provider will determine the best plan for you. It’s recommended that no more than 30% of the calories in the meal come from fat. Because Xenical works by decreasing how much fat your body absorbs from a meal, you can skip the dose for that meal if the meal contains no fat. Increasing the dosage of Xenical doesn’t increase weight loss. When using Xenical, you should take a multivitamin supplement that contains the fat-soluble vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and beta-carotene to ensure you’re getting all the nutrition you need. The multivitamin should be taken at least two hours before or after taking Xenical (National Library, 2020). 7 best diets for weight loss: what works?Diet and nutrition Last updated: Jul 27, 2021 14 min read Xenical warningsXenical shouldn’t be taken by people who (National Library, 2020):
If you’re breastfeeding, talk with your healthcare provider before taking Xenical. Small amounts of Xenical have been detected in the breast milk of one woman studied. However, it’s believed to be unlikely that harmful amounts of Xenical would be absorbed by your baby (Drugs and Lactation, 2021). Speak with your healthcare provider to determine whether you should take Xenical while breastfeeding. Xenical drug interactionsXenical interacts with a number of other drugs. These interactions can have serious effects on your health. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you’re taking any of the medications listed below (National Library, 2020): How much weight should I lose on Xenical?1-2lb (0.5-1kg) per week – the same as at phase 1. The aim is to lose 5% of your body weight in the first 12 weeks. If you manage this you may be able to keep taking Xenical during phase 3. Your group leader can tell you what 5% means for you.
Will Xenical help me lose weight?Xenical blocks some of the fat that you eat, keeping it from being absorbed by your body. Xenical is used to aid in weight loss, or to help reduce the risk of regaining weight already lost. This medicine must be used together with a reduced-calorie diet and is to used only by adults.
Who should not take Xenical?Xenical is not recommended for people taking acarbose (an anti-diabetic drug used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus). Xenical can be taken immediately before, during a meal or up to one hour after a meal. The capsule should be swallowed with water. Taking Xenical during pregnancy is not recommended.
How much weight can you lose with orlistat in a month?What is orlistat? Orlistat (brand name: alli) is an FDA-approved OTC medication that can help overweight adults lose weight. Orlistat works by blocking fat from being absorbed into the body after it is eaten during a meal. Approximately 5 to 10 pounds may be lost during the first 6 months of orlistat use.
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