What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking orlistat?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to orlistat, or if you have:
Before taking orlistat, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs,
or if you have:
-
an underactive thyroid;
-
a history of kidney stones;
-
a history of pancreatitis;
-
type 1 or type 2 diabetes;
-
an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia); or
-
if you take any other weight-loss medications (prescription
or over-the-counter).
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use orlistat,
or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Taking orlistat can make it harder for your body to absorb certain vitamins. These
vitamins are important if you are nursing a baby. Do not use this medication without telling your
doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give over-the-counter orlistat (Alli) to a child younger than 18 years old.
Prescription orlistat (Xenical) should not be used by anyone age 12 to 18 without the advice of a
doctor.
Orlistat
should be used only by the person it was prescribed or
recommended for and should never be shared with another person, especially someone
who has a history of eating disorder. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot
get to it.
How should I take orlistat?
Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it was prescribed for you. Do
not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your
doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Orlistat is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise,
and weight control. Your daily intake of fat, protein, and carbohydrates should be evenly divided
over all of your daily meals. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Take orlistat during or within 1 hour after a meal that contains some fat (no more
than 30% of the calories for that meal). Orlistat is usually taken 3 times daily.
If you skip a meal or you eat a meal that does not contain any fat, skip your orlistat dose
for that meal.
The fat content of your daily diet should not be greater than 30% of your total daily
caloric intake. For example, if you eat 1200 calories per day, no more than 360 of those calories
should be in the form of fat.
Read the label of all food items you consume, paying special attention to the number of
servings per container. Your doctor, nutrition counselor, or dietitian can help you develop a
healthy eating plan.
Your doctor may recommend you take vitamin and mineral supplements while you are
taking orlistat. This medication can make it harder for your body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins,
such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type of
multi-vitamin or mineral supplement to use.
Take the supplement at least 2 hours before or after you take orlistat.
Store orlistat at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle
tightly closed.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Orlistat is a drug that may be misused as a weight-loss aid, and you should be aware if any person
in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
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