| Xenical is a new class of weight loss medicine
that is used to treat obesity. Xenical doesn't suppress appetite,
but inhibits the absorption of fat in the stomach.
Xenical is available as a dark-blue, hard-gelatin capsule, with
light-blue imprinting. Each capsule contains 120 mg of the active
ingredient orlistat.
| DRUG |
DOSAGE |
QUANTITY |
CONSULT |
PRICES |
|
 |
|
| Xenical |
120mg |
90 caps |
FREE |
184 |
Order |
|
Xenical |
120mg |
270 caps |
FREE |
429 |
Order |
|
 HOW
DOES XENICAL WORK?
XENICAL does not act centrally on the brain to reduce appetite.
Its action takes place in the lumen of the stomach and absorption
of the drug into the blood is minimal. In contradistinction, most
other weight loss medicines act on specific areas of the brain to
reduce appetite. You eat less, you lose weight - but at a price.
In order to get to the brain, these drugs must enter the blood stream.
Therefore, these drugs may have systemic side effects (central nervous
system and cardiovascular), ranging from minor to severe and are
indicated only for short-term use. But, most important, these drugs
do little if anything to help people change their eating habits
or lifestyles. Therefore, when they stop taking the drugs, the weight
is quickly regained.
XENICAL, on the other hand, is a reversible inhibitor of lipases
made in the stomach and pancreas. Lipases are enzymes that break
down fat. After we eat a fatty meal (such as meat) fats reach the
stomach in a form called triglycerides. Triglycerides cannot be
absorbed into the blood unless lipases break them down into compounds
called fatty acids. XENICAL prevents this breakdown and the undigested
triglycerides are excreted into the stool. The resulting decrease
in caloric intake can have a positive effect on weight control.
Top
HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN I LOSE WITH XENICAL?
There is no clear-cut amount of weight that can be lost when taking
XENICAL. Remember, in order for XENICAL to work optimally you must
restrict your fat intake and exercise. If you are committed to your
weight loss program there is essentially no limit as to how much
weight you can loose. Nonetheless, weight loss should be gradual
and always be done safely. While it is important that you decrease
you fat intake it is equally as important that you eat healthy and
insure you obtain all essential nutrients each and every day. Keep
in mind that even a small amount of weight loss can reward you with
a big gain in your health. A loss of 5 to 10% of your current weight
can result in a significant reduction of risk for disease.
Top
CLINICAL EFFICACY STUDIES:
Pooled data from multiple trials indicated that weight loss averaged
12.4 lbs. to 13.4 lbs. in patients taking XENICAL. Overall 57% of
treated patients lost over 5% of their base-line body weight. Those
on XENICAL showed a decrease in total blood cholesterol and LDL
cholesterol (low density cholesterol). This form of cholesterol
acts to promote the deposition of fatty plaques along the walls
of arteries. There was a concomitant increase in HDL cholesterol
(high density cholesterol). This form of cholesterol acts to inhibit
the deposition of fatty plaques along the walls of arteries. In
international clinical studies with thousands of patients, most
individuals using XENICAL lost, on average, 10% of their initial
body weight over a 6-8 month period.
Top
ARE THERE OTHER BENEFITS TO TAKING XENICAL?
In addition to reducing weight, XENICAL reduces:
- high blood pressure.
- the amount of anti-diabetic medication required (if already diabetic).
- triglycerides.
- body fat.
- the chance of developing type II diabetes.
Top
WHO SHOULD TAKE XENICAL?
XENICAL is a serious weight loss medication, indicated only for
those who are truly obese (obesity is defined as having an initial
body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 or 27 kg/m2 in
the presence of other risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes
or increased serum cholesterol). The initial body mass index is
calculated utilizing the patient’s height and weight. Therefore
it in not generally recommended that it be used as a “summer”
medication for transient weight loss. It is most commonly recommended
that it be prescribed for those who are willing to make serious
permanent changes in their eating and exercise habits
Top
WHEN SHOULD I START TAKING XENICAL?
When you are ready to control your diet so that no more than one
third of calories come from fat and you are willing to commit yourself
to beginning and continuing with a graded exercise program you are
then ready to start taking XENICAL.
Top
HOW DO I START TAKING XENICAL?
Questions that should be answered before I begin this medicine include:
- Am I overweight?
- Am I at risk for diseases associated with being overweight?
- How much weight can I realistically lose?
- Can I achieve this goal with diet and exercise alone?
- Am I committed to managing my weight?
- What kinds of support will I require to help me manage my weight
(such as nutritionist, dietician, physical therapist, or psychologist)?
- Are these resources available to me?
Top
WHAT IS THE CORRECT DOSAGE OF XENICAL?
One capsule (120milligrams) is taken three times daily with each
main meal - up two hours after eating. Taking a capsule with each
meal is convenient and easy to remember.
Top
HOW QUICKLY DOES XENICAL WORK?
In one clinical study, weight loss attributed to XENICAL was seen
as early as 2 weeks after starting this medicine. In patients who
participate in a graded exercise program that slowly increases the
amount of physical activity performed each week, weight loss my
be seen ever faster.
Top
HOW LONG CAN I CONTINUE TAKING XENICAL?
One of the benefits of XENICAL is that while you lose weight, you
are changing your eating habits and lifestyle. By the time you have
reached your goal, you may be able to maintain your weight through
diet and exercise alone. If, however, you start to regain weight,
you can safely resume taking XENICAL. XENICAL has been shown to
be safe for up to two years of continuous use. XENICAL can become
part of your long-term weight maintenance program.
Top
DO I HAVE TO TAKE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS?
Yes, it is worthwhile to take a vitamin supplement that contains
fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and D. XENICAL has been shown
to reduce the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins and beta-carotene.
The supplement should be taken once a day at least 2 hours before
or 2 hours after a dose of XENICAL. Bedtime is a very convenient
time to take your vitamin.
Top
IF I TAKE MORE THAN ONE CAPSULE AT A TIME, WILL IT BLOCK MORE
FAT?
No. There is absolutely no benefit to taking more than the recommended
dose.
Top
DO I HAVE TO TAKE A CAPSULE WITH EVERY MEAL?
If you skip a meal or your meal contains little fat (note: be careful
of the hidden fats in many foods), there is no reason to take XENICAL,
although there is no harm in taking the capsule. Taking a capsule
with each meal will help you to remember and avoid missing doses.
Top
WHAT IF I EAT MORE THAN THREE MEALS A DAY?
It is strongly recommended that you eat several meals throughout
the day. But, you should not take more than 3 XENICAL capsules per
day.
Top
WHAT IF I MISS TAKING A CAPSULE WITH A MEAL?
Nothing. You simply miss the benefit of the medication.
Top
DOES XENICAL INTERACT WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS?
Clinical studies have shown that XENICAL does not interact with
commonly used medications. However, before starting XENICAL it is
essential that you tell us on your medical history/personal profile
of any and all medications (prescription and non-prescription) that
you are currently taking.
Top
DOES XENICAL HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
XENICAL has none of the side effects normally associated with diet
medications that act on the brain. XENICAL’s side effects are
strictly gastrointestinal in nature and related to its action of
blocking the digestion of ingested fat. The fat that is not absorbed
into the bloodstream remains in the intestine and becomes mixed
with the stool. The increased fat in the stool can cause any of
the following:
- gas (flatulence) - sometimes with oily spotting.
- increased frequency of bowel movements.
- fatty/ oily stool.
How often or how quickly these effects occur will vary from person
to person and will depend on how much extra fat was consumed. They
can occur within hours after eating a meal or up to a day or two
later. These side effects usually occur early in treatment, last
for only a short period, and disappear over time. Importantly, you
can control the effects if you control your fat intake. Remember:
it's not the XENICAL, it's the fat you eat that causes the events.
Top
COULD I BECOME ADDICTED TO XENICAL?
Physiological dependence does not occur because XENICAL is not absorbed
into the blood. Nonetheless, psychological dependence can rarely
become a problem. Thus, the notion that this medicine is totally
non-addictive is false.
Top
CAN I OVERDOSE ON XENICAL?
XENICAL is very safe. There have been no cases of overdosing. In
experiments, patients who took doses of XENICAL many times over
the recommended dose experienced no ill effects. Remember, taking
more XENICAL gives no extra benefit.
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