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What is Xenical?

Xenical (generic name orlistat) is a prescription weight-loss medication that prevents fat in food from being absorbed into the body. Doctors prescribe it for people who meet certain criteria for obesity or who are at a high risk for health-related problems because of their weight.

Xenical is called a "fat-blocker" because it works in the intestines to prevent about 30 percent of fat eaten in food from being absorbed. This fat is eliminated in bowel movements. Xenical produces moderate weight loss. Studies show that people using the drug have an average weight loss of 12 pounds after six months, and 13 pounds after one year of use. People who use Xenical along with a low-calorie diet regain less weight after stopping Xenical than individuals who have not taken Xenical.

You should take Xenical along with eating a reduced-calorie diet, as directed by your health care provider. You take it with each meal, up to three times daily. If you skip a meal or eat a meal that doesn't contain fat, you can skip that dose of Xenical. You can take the drug with food or up to one hour after eating.

Xenical can block the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K and beta-carotene. So if you take Xenical, you should also take a multivitamin supplement with these nutrients in it every day.

Sources:
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Xenical product information, Roche Laboratories, 2006.
J Hauptman. “Orlistat in the long-term treatment of obesity in primary care settings” Archives of Family Medicine 9 (2000).

This answer prepared 1/30/2001.
This information updated 11/21/2006.