Xenical – The Weight Loss Pill

Xenical, generic name – Orlistat, is a drug that treats obesity. Orlistat is also known as tetrahydrolipstatin. The primary function of Xenical is that it does not allow the body to absorb a portion of the fats that are a part of its diet. This goes a long way in the reduction of the caloric intake of a person. This medication is to be used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet, as prescribed by the physician.

About Xenical (Orlistat)

Xenical is a prescription medication, which in effect complements the reduced-calorie diet of a person. A reduced calorie diet is the one which has a maximum of 30% calorie from fat. At times, such a diet is a real challenge for people, especially if they love high calorie foods like ice cream or various types of fried food.

If a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or more, he/she is the right candidate for Xenical. However, even if the BMI is 27 or more, in addition to which the person suffers from high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, and/or other risky medical conditions, the person could take Xenical Orlistat. You must consult your doctor if you want to make Xenical a part of your weight loss program.

Typically, the recommended dosage of Xenical is a capsule of 120mg that needs to be orally administered with liquid at all meal times, especially if the meal contains fat. One can take Xenical 3 times a day, at each meal. It is advisable that the medication be taken with a reduced-calorie diet. It’s also important that for the medicine to take effect, the intake of protein, carbohydrates and fat be divided over the three daily meals. A person can either take Xenical an hour before the meals or during the meal. If the meal does not contain fat it’s not necessary to take the dose of Xenical.

The Working of Xenical

If a person consumes an excess amount of fat or calories, the body does not dispose of this fat, but stores it in the body. The result is weight gain. The fat is broken down by the body in its most basic components in order for it to be digested. Other weight loss drugs work towards suppressing the appetite or speeding up the process of metabolism of a person by bringing about a change in the Central Nervous System or the Brain.

Unlike such drugs, Xenical does not work in the brain, but acts in the person’s digestive system. In doing so, around one third of the fat that is present in the food that a person eats is prevented from being digested. A person’s body digests or breaks down fat through the use of enzymes called lipases, which are present in the digestive system. Xenical prevents this from happening by attaching itself to these lipases. The fat that remains undigested is disposed of by the body through its bowel movements.

Side Effects of Xenical

Most side effects of Xenical pills are gastrointestinal in nature. One such common side effect is an excess amount of fat in the feces of a person, a condition known as ‘Steatorrhea’. This condition exhibits itself in the form of loose, oily stools. The reason for this side effect is that the intake of Xenical blocks the absorption of dietary fat. This unabsorbed fat is excreted by the body. Other side effects include the loss of control over the bowel movements, flatulence, and even an increase in frequency of bowel movements.

Cautiousness needs to be maintained in case of such side effects and the only solution herein, is to avoid consuming a high fat diet. If a person who is using Xenical reduces the fat content in his/her meals to around 15 grams per meal, side effects like Steatorrhea and Flatulence can be easily controlled.

The severity of these side effects is at its highest when one starts using Xenical; however there is a gradual decrease in its severity and frequency once the body adjusts to its intake.