Drug Status in USA : Approved Drug Status in Canada : Approved
pronunciation
pronounced as (or' li stat)
Why is this medication prescribed?
Orlistat (prescription and nonprescription) is used with an individualized low-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise program to help people lose weight. Prescription orlistat is used in overweight people who may also have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease. Orlistat is also used after weight-loss to help people keep from gaining back that weight. Orlistat is in a class of medications called lipase inhibitors. It works by preventing some of the fat in foods eaten from being absorbed in the intestines. This unabsorbed fat is then removed from the body in the stool.
How should this medicine be used?
Orlistat comes as a capsule and a nonprescription capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day with each main meal that contains fat. Take orlistat during a meal or up to 1 hour after a meal. If a meal is missed or does not have fat, you may skip your dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label or the package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take orlistat exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor or stated on the package.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient if orlistat is prescribed for you. For additional information about the nonprescription product, visit http://www.MyAlli.com.
What are the precautions to be followed?
Before taking orlistat,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to orlistat or any other medications.
talk to your doctor if you are taking medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune). If you are taking cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after orlistat.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (''blood thinners'') such as warfarin (Coumadin); medications for diabetes, such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Dynase, Micronase), metformin (Glucophage), and insulin; medications to control blood pressure; medications for thyroid disease; and any other medications for weight loss.
tell your doctor if you have if you have had an organ transplant or if you have cholestasis (condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is blocked) or malabsorption syndrome (problems absorbing food). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take orlistat.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, diabetes, kidney stones, pancreatitis (inflammation or swelling of the pancreas), or gallbladder or thyroid disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Do not take orlistat if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
What are possible side effects of this medication ?
Orlistat may cause side effects. The most common side effect of orlistat is changes in bowel movement (BM) habits. This generally occurs during the first weeks of treatment; however, it may continue throughout your use of orlistat. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
oily spotting on underwear or on clothing
gas with oily spotting
urgent need to have a bowel movement
loose stools
oily or fatty stools
increased number of bowel movements
difficulty controlling bowel movements
pain or discomfort in the rectum (bottom)
stomach pain
irregular menstrual periods
headache
anxiety
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
hives
rash
itching
difficulty breathing or swallowing
severe or continuous stomach pain
excessive tiredness or weakness
nausea
vomiting
loss of appetite
pain in the upper right part of the stomach
yellowing of the skin or eyes
dark-colored urine
light-colored stools
Orlistat may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems during your treatment with orlistat.
Some people who took orlistat developed severe liver damage. There is not enough information to tell whether the liver damage was caused by orlistat. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking orlistat.
How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat, moisture (not in the bathroom), and light.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.
Drug Category/Class
Anti-Obesity Agents
Antiobesity Preparations, Excl. Diet Products
Peripherally Acting Antiobesity Products
Enzyme Inhibitors
Alimentary Tract and Metabolism
CYP3A4 Inhibitors
Peripherally acting antiobesity products
Prescribed
For obesity management including weight loss and weight maintenance when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet. Also used to reduce the r...