Xenical
Xenical is a prescription drug that blocks dietary fats. When taking Xenical it is advised that the dieter sticks to a very low fat diet, as fats that are not absorbed pass straight through the body and are excreted as oily substances. Gaseous discharges, oily stools and incontrollable bowel movements are all possible and common side effects of Xenical.
Xenical's side effects are its biggest drawback, but their possible threat is also what helps people who take Xenical to heavily restrict their fat intake which improves weight loss.
Xenical is a brand of the generic drug orlistat and is produced by the pharmaceutical company Roche.
It has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and is recognized as safe. Xenical is designed to treat obese patients who have a BMI of 30 or greater and to be used in combination with a calorie reduced diet.
It is claimed that taking the commonly prescribed Xenical dosage of 120mg three times a day will block around 30% of the fats contained within the food eaten from being absorbed. Taking a higher dosage than this will not decrease the absorption rate.
One factor that users of Xenical should consider is that Xenical may also block other substances that are useful to the body such as fat soluble vitamins and other fat soluble nutrients. To compensate for this Xenical users should take additional vitamin tablets containing A, D, E, K and beta-carotene.
alli® is the non-prescription version of Xenical
In 2007 the FDA approved alli for over the counter sale. alli is the first FDA approved diet pill that is available from your drugs store without a prescription. alli diet pills contain the chemical substance orlistat, the same active ingredient that is in Xenical. Xenical contains 120mg of orlistat whilst alli only has 60mg.
Taking Xenical
Take Xenical with a glass of water three times daily with, or within one hour, of each meal that contains fat. Each meal should contain no more fat than 30% of the meal’s total calories. If you miss a meal, or your meal doesn’t contain any fat, you should skip a dosage of Xenical.
Vitamin supplements should be taken at least two hours prior to taking Xenical.
Xenical Side Effects
Carefully monitoring your fat intake to ensure that it is no greater than 30% of your total calorie consumption is a way to minimize some of the unpleasant Xenical side effects. Xenical side effects include:
- Oily/greasy marks in your underwear
- Loose stools
- Uncontrollable urge to go to the bathroom
- Increase in number of bowel movements
- Oil in your stools – orange/brown in color
- Stomach pains
Although undesirable, the above side effects are nothing to be worried about, they are signs that Xenical is successfully blocking some of the fats you consume.
Other Xenical side effects may include:
- Cold or flu like symptoms
- Gum or teeth problems
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Itchy skin