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Orlistat

Orlistat


Generic Name: Orlistat (Nonprescription strength) (OR-li-stat)
Brand Name: Alli

Orlistat is used for:

Managing obesity in overweight adults. It is also used to reduce the risk of weight regain after previous weight loss. It is used along with a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet.

Orlistat is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor. It works by blocking the digestion of fats from the diet.

Do NOT use Orlistat if:

  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Orlistat
  • you are not overweight
  • you have problems absorbing food or bile flow problems (eg, cholestasis)
  • you have received an organ transplant
  • you take cyclosporine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Orlistat :

Some medical conditions may interact with Orlistat . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
  • if you have a history of gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid problems; diabetes; or kidney stones
  • if you take medicine for diabetes or thyroid problems, or if you take any other medicines for weight loss

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Orlistat . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

  • Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased by Orlistat
  • Amiodarone or cyclosporine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Orlistat

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Orlistat may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Orlistat :

Use Orlistat as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

  • An extra patient leaflet is available with Orlistat . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
  • Read the chart on the medicine package. You may consider starting Orlistat if your weight is the same or more than the weight shown for your height. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
  • Take Orlistat by mouth with each meal containing fat. Do not take more than 3 capsules daily.
  • If a meal is missed or contains no fat, do not take a dose of Orlistat .
  • Orlistat may decrease your absorption of vitamins. Take a multivitamin once a day at bedtime.
  • If you miss a dose of Orlistat , take it as soon as you remember. Continue to take it as directed by your doctor or on the package label.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Orlistat .

Important safety information:

  • Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. Taking more than the recommended dose may not help you lose more weight. It may increase your risk of side effects.
  • Proper diet and exercise are important in order to lose weight and keep it off. Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.
  • Orlistat may cause changes in your bowel or stool (eg, gas with oily spotting, loose stools, more frequent stools). Eating a low-fat diet may help lessen these side effects.
  • Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Orlistat before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
  • Diabetes patients - Orlistat may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
  • Orlistat should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not take Orlistat if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. It is not known if Orlistat is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Orlistat .

Possible side effects of Orlistat :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; gas with discharge; frequent or loose stools; oily spotting; trouble controlling bowel movements.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe or persistent stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at .

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Orlistat :

Store Orlistat between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Orlistat out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

  • If you have any questions about Orlistat , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • Orlistat is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Orlistat . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.