Xenical contains Orlistat 120mg, a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor that works by preventing the digestion and absorption of approximately one third of the dietary fat consumed in a meal. Orlistat inhibits pancreatic and gastric lipase enzymes in the intestine, preventing them from breaking down triglycerides into absorbable free fatty acids and monoglycerides. The undigested fat is excreted in the stool rather than absorbed, reducing the caloric intake from fat and supporting weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet.
Specs
- Active ingredient: Orlistat 120mg per capsule
- Drug class: Gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor
- Form: Capsules
- Pack size: 84 capsules (4-week supply)
- Mechanism: Blocks approximately 30% of dietary fat absorption
- Prescription: Required in most jurisdictions
Benefits
- Orlistat is the only approved pharmacological weight loss treatment that works entirely within the gastrointestinal tract without systemic drug absorption - it is not absorbed into the bloodstream, which means it has no systemic drug effects and no central nervous system side effects
- The 30% reduction in dietary fat absorption translates to a meaningful caloric deficit when meals contain fat - combined with a 30% calorie-reduced diet, clinical trials demonstrate average weight loss of 5 to 10% of body weight over 6 to 12 months of treatment
- By reducing fat absorption, Orlistat also reduces the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients - patients must take a multivitamin containing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) at a different time from Orlistat to compensate
- The gastrointestinal side effects of Orlistat (oily stool, increased bowel movements) are directly related to dietary fat intake - they function as a behavioral feedback mechanism that motivates adherence to the low-fat diet required for comfortable use
- The 84-capsule pack provides a full standard 4-week supply at the recommended 3 capsules daily - three doses per day taken with each main meal containing fat
How to Use
- Take 1 capsule (120mg) with each main meal containing fat - typically 3 times daily with breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Take during the meal or up to 1 hour after eating
- If a meal is missed or contains no fat, skip the Orlistat dose for that meal
- Follow a reduced-calorie, balanced diet with approximately 30% of calories from fat - distributing fat intake evenly across three meals
- Take a fat-soluble vitamin supplement (A, D, E, K) at bedtime or at least 2 hours after Orlistat to compensate for reduced fat-soluble vitamin absorption
- Do not exceed 3 capsules (360mg) per day
- Use under physician supervision with regular monitoring of weight, blood pressure, and dietary compliance
- Not suitable for patients with chronic malabsorption syndrome or cholestasis
