Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ORLISTAT (OR-li-stat)
This medicine is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor used in the management of obesity in overweight adult and adolescent patients age 12 and older. This medicine may be used during the weight loss phase or following weight loss to assist in weight management. This medicine works by inhibiting the digestion of fats from the diet and should be used with a reduced-calorie diet.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking anticoagulants (eg, warfarin); amiodarone; cyclosporine; or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including if you have an underactive thyroid; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have gallbladder problems; cholestasis (a problem of bile flow from the liver to the intestines); or you constantly have problems absorbing food (chronic malabsorption). THIS MEDICINE SHOULD NOT BE USED IN CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. AN EXTRA PATIENT LEAFLET is available with this medicine. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with or up to 1 hour after each main meal that contains fat (up to 3 per day). IF A MEAL IS MISSED OR CONTAINS NO FAT, do not take a dose of this medicine. YOU SHOULD TAKE A MULTIVITAMIN SUPPLEMENT containing vitamins A, D, E, and K to ensure good nutrition. THE SUPPLEMENT SHOULD BE TAKEN at least 2 hours before or after you take this medicine, such as at bedtime. IF YOU ALSO TAKE A THYROID HORMONE (eg, levothyroxine), do not take it within 4 hours before or after this medicine. Check with your doctor if you have questions. IF YOU ALSO TAKE CYCLOSPORINE, do not take it within 2 hours before or after this medicine. Check with your doctor if you have questions. STORE THIS MEDICINE below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. Exceeding the recommended dose will not make you lose more weight and may increase side effects. TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR DENTIST THAT YOU TAKE THIS MEDICINE before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. FOLLOW THE DIET PROGRAM given to you by your health care provider. Your daily intake of fat should be divided evenly over 3 meals. EATING A MEAL HIGH IN FAT while taking this medicine increases the risk of side effects involving the stomach and intestines. SOME PATIENTS TAKING THIS MEDICINE have developed severe liver problems. It is not known if liver problems may be caused by this medicine. Contact your doctor right away if you experience yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, unusual weakness, or severe or persistent nausea. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. DIABETES PATIENTS: This medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include bowel movement urgency; gas with discharge; inability to control bowel movements; increased number of bowel movements; oily discharge; oily or fatty stools; or oily spotting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience severe or persistent stomach pain. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
FOLLOW THE DIETARY PLAN provided by your doctor. Your daily intake of fat should be divided evenly over 3 meals. When you eat food high in fat you increase the chance of side effects. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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