Orlistat
FDA-approved for weight loss, and it decreases the amount of dietary fat absorbed in the intestines.
WARNINGDo not use orlistat if you have had an organ transplant because the medicine interferes with the medicines used to prevent transplant rejection. There have been rare reports of liver injury in people taking orlistat.
Before using orlistat tell your healthcare provider about your medical history, especially if you have:
Ask your healthcare provider before you use orlistat if you are taking any of the following prescription medications:
You should not take orlistat if you are planning to become pregnant or if pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use orlistat if you are not overweight or if you have been diagnosed with problems absorbing food. When using this medication, you should also take a multivitamin once a day at bedtime, and follow a well-balanced, reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. If you have any serious side effects, including, itching, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, loss of appetite, severe or continuous abdominal pain, hives, vomiting, chest pain, rectal bleeding, constipation that lasts more than 7 days, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or you are taking medicine for seizures and your seizures happen more often or get worse, stop using the medication and talk to your healthcare provider.
Side effects informationMany people experience no side effects while taking orlistat. Some of the most common side effects (but not extremely frequent) are:
Additional side effects include:
These symptoms may subside after the body adjusts to the medication.
Drug interactionsDo not take orlistat if you are taking cyclosporine, warfarin or you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the capsules. Do not take thyroid medication or any fat-based supplements within 2 hours of taking Alli.
Please consult the pharmaceutical packaging for a full list of side effects, warnings, interactions and additional information.
To report suspected adverse reactions to topiramate contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In case of emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- How it worksOrlistat is an over-the-counter medication that can help overweight adults 18 years and older lose weight when combined with a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet. It works by preventing the absorption of about 25% of the fat in the food you eat. For every 5 pounds you lose from diet alone, orlistat can help you lose 2-3 pounds more. In studies, most people taking orlistat lost 5-10 pounds over 6 months.
- Form and dosingOrlistat comes in 60 mg capsules. Instructions for taking orlistat can be found on the label and can vary with tolerability, diet and other factors and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
- Common side effects
- diarrhea
- oily stools or spotting
- stomach discomfort
- gas
- more frequent bowel movements that may be hard to control
WARNINGDo not use orlistat if you have had an organ transplant because the medicine interferes with the medicines used to prevent transplant rejection. There have been rare reports of liver injury in people taking orlistat.
Before using orlistat tell your healthcare provider about your medical history, especially if you have:
- gallbladder problems
- kidney stones
- pancreatitis
Ask your healthcare provider before you use orlistat if you are taking any of the following prescription medications:
- anticoagulants (blood thinning medicine)
- amiodarone (heart medicine)
- diabetes medicine
- thyroid disease medicine
- seizure medicine (for a seizure disorder)
- antiretrovirals (HIV medicine)
- taking any other weight loss products
You should not take orlistat if you are planning to become pregnant or if pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use orlistat if you are not overweight or if you have been diagnosed with problems absorbing food. When using this medication, you should also take a multivitamin once a day at bedtime, and follow a well-balanced, reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. If you have any serious side effects, including, itching, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, loss of appetite, severe or continuous abdominal pain, hives, vomiting, chest pain, rectal bleeding, constipation that lasts more than 7 days, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or you are taking medicine for seizures and your seizures happen more often or get worse, stop using the medication and talk to your healthcare provider.
Side effects informationMany people experience no side effects while taking orlistat. Some of the most common side effects (but not extremely frequent) are:
- diarrhea
- oily stools or spotting
- stomach discomfort
- gas
- more frequent bowel movements that may be hard to control
Additional side effects include:
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea or constipation
- increased energy
- increased thirst
- dizziness
- skin rash
- sexual problems in males
- chills
- runny nose
- irritability or feeling down
These symptoms may subside after the body adjusts to the medication.
Drug interactionsDo not take orlistat if you are taking cyclosporine, warfarin or you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the capsules. Do not take thyroid medication or any fat-based supplements within 2 hours of taking Alli.
Please consult the pharmaceutical packaging for a full list of side effects, warnings, interactions and additional information.
To report suspected adverse reactions to topiramate contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In case of emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.