USES: This 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.
HOW TO USE: 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.
SIDE EFFECTS: Fatty/oily stool, oily spotting, intestinal gas with discharge,
bowel movement urgency, poor bowel control, or headaches may occur. If
these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Intestinal
side effects (e.g., oily stool) may increase in intensity if you exceed
your daily dietary fat allowance. If you notice other effects not listed
above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies,
digestive disorders (malabsorption or cholestasis), low thyroid function
(hypothyroidism), other metabolism problems (e.g., oxalate kidney stones,
hyperoxaluria). This drug should not be used if you have anorexia nervosa
or bulimia-type eating disorders. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant
before using this medication. The manufacturer does not recommend use of
this drug during pregnancy. It is not known whether this drug is excreted
into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding
while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: 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.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control
center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Follow your doctor-approved
nutritional, reduced-calorie diet containing about 30 percent calories
from fat. Also, exercise is recommended; however, first consult your doctor
or pharmacist.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it
is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your
usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature (77 degrees F, 25 degrees C) away from
light and moisture.
Notes
Your pharmacist has additional information about alprazolam written for
health professionals that you may read
Disclaimer
This information is not intended to substitute for professional medical
advice. Be sure to contact your physician, pharmacist or other health
care provider for more information about this medication.
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Prescribing Information
Xenical Prescribing Information
