Orlistat (Xenical) 120 mg

Xenical 120mg

Xenical 120mg is a weight loss medication that must be prescribed by a doctor. It can accelerate weight loss in certain groups of people in whom dietary changes and exercise have not proven effective. Its main active ingredient is the drug orlistat. Xenical is the brand name given to the medication by its manufacturer, the pharmaceutical company Roche.

Xenical can be prescribed to patients with a BMI of more than 30. It can also be prescribed if your BMI is greater than 28 in the presence of other risk factors such as type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure or raised Cholesterol.

How Does Xenical Work?

The active ingredient in Xenical is orlistat. It works by blocking the action of the enzyme lipase which is produced by the pancreas and in the stomach. Lipase usually breaks down fats to its constituent parts so that it can be more easily absorbed by the gut. If this action is prevented, it makes fats harder to digest, so that they pass straight through the gut and are excreted in the stools. Digesting less fat from the diet should, hopefully over time, result in weight loss.

How Often Should It Be Taken?

The recommended dose of Xenical is one 120 mg capsule taken with water immediately before, during or up to one hour after each main meal. If a meal is missed or contains no fat, the dose of Xenical should be missed.

Do I Need To Make Any Other Lifestyle Adjustments?

Patients taking Xenical should be on a reduced-calorie diet, with a daily intake of fats carbohydrates and proteins being equally distributed over three main meals. Ideally, only 30% of total calories should come from fats.

Even if the treatment is a success, it’s important to continue making sensible dietary choices and exercise regularly. It is not recommended to continue Xenical indefinitely and implementing healthy lifestyle changes should hopefully help to keep the weight off.