Weight Loss - Orlipastat (Brand name: orlistat)

Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor used for helping you to lose your weight and also keep it from returning. Orlistat is prescribed for obese individuals and for overweight people who have other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. Orlistat blocks absorption of dietary fat into the bloodstream, there by reducing the number of calories you get from a meal. You may use Orlistat together with diet and exercises to get more benefits. Also note that as long as you take the drug you will get result.

Dosage and direction

Consult your doctor before using. Use no more than prescribed. Take it orally, generally three times a day during (or up to one hour after) each main meal that contains fat. You should take a multivitamin addition including vitamins A, D, E, and K to ensure good supply. The addition should be taken at least two hours before or after you take this medication, such as before going to bed.
The recommended dose for adults and children under 12 years is one 120-milligram capsule 3 times daily.
Note: this instruction presented here just for review. It's very necessary to consult  your doctor before using. It will help you to get better results.

Precautions

Do not take this medication without doctor's advice if you have a chronic malabsorption syndrome, or gallbladder problems. Do not use Orlistat if your medical history includes kidney stones, have anorexia or bulimia, have diabetes, take cyclosporine, or take any other weight-loss medicine. Weight loss begins within two weeks and continues for years. The effect of using Orlistat for more than 2 years is still unknown.If you have diabetes, weight-loss is likely to reduce your blood sugar levels. Consult  your doctor about dosage of Orlistat if you're taking an oral diabetes medication or insulin. Orlistat should not be used during pregnancy, becoming pregnancy or lactating. Do not use before breast-feeding without doctor's permission.

Contraindications

Orlistat is contraindicated in:
Malabsorption
Reduced gallbladder function (e.g. after cholecystectomy )
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain kidney problems
Note that the safety and efficacy of Orlistat in children younger than 12 years old have not been established.

Possible side effect

They may include all types of an allergic reaction. Stop taking Orlistat immediately if you have severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, and a fast heart rate. Also the most possible side effects include:
oily spotting in your undergarments;
oily or fatty stools;
orange or brown colored oil in your stool;
gas with discharge, an oily discharge;
loose stools, or an urgent need to go to the bathroom, inability to control bowel movements;
an increased number of bowel movements;
stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rectal pain;
loss of appetite, weakness, clay-colored stools, dark urine, itching, or jaundice .
Less serious include:
problems with your teeth or gums;
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough;
fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms;
headache, back pain;
mild skin rash.
If you experience one of them stop using Orlistat and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also consult with your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.

Drug interaction

Orlistat interact with the follow drugs: Cyclosporine and Warfarin. Also note that interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual it affects the the effect of drugs, so consult your doctor about its interactions.
Missed dose
If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not increase your recommended dose. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.

Overdose

Symptoms of Orlistat overdose are not known. But If you experience one of unusual symptoms call your doctor immediately.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 20-25 C (68-77 F).

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Please find the full description of Orlistat at Drugs.com and general information at Wikipedia