Simple and Practical Mental Health

The BEST resource for mental health clinicians

  • REVIEWS
  • MENUS
  • RESOURCES
    • Side effect handouts
    • Patient handouts: Main page
    • How to find treatment resources
    • Rating scales and questionnaires for mental health clinicians
    • BEST books
    • BEST apps/ websites
  • NEWS
  • QUESTIONS?
  • DAILY EMAILS
  • FAQ
  • LOG IN
  • JOIN

Orlistat (Xenical®): Basic Information

Orlistat (US brand name Xenical®) is a reversible inhibitor of gastrolipases. Here is basic information about this medication.

FDA-approved indications

  1. Obesity management including weight loss and weight maintenance when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet
  2. Reduce the risk for weight regain after prior weight loss

Dosage

One 120-mg capsule three times a day orally with each main meal containing fat (during or up to 1 hour after the meal)

Administration instructions

  1. Advise patients to take a nutritionally balanced, reduced-calorie diet that contains approximately 30% of calories from fat
  2. Distribute the daily intake of fat, carbohydrate, and protein over three main meals
  3. Advise patients to take a multivitamin containing fat-soluble vitamins to ensure adequate nutrition
  4. Take the vitamin supplement at least 2 hours before or after the administration of orlistat, such as at bedtime
  5. For patients receiving both orlistat and cyclosporine therapy, administer cyclosporine 3 hours after orlistat
  6. For patients receiving both orlistat and levothyroxine therapy, administer levothyroxine and orlistat at least 4 hours apart

Specific Populations

Pregnant women: Contraindicated

Dosage forms and strengths

Capsules: 120 mg

Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.


Related Pages

Naltrexone and bupropion (Contrave®): Basic Information

Phentermine and topiramate extended-release (Qsymia®): Basic Information


References

Prescribing Information for orlistat (Xenical®)


Copyright 2016, Rajnish Mago, MD. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended or recommended for patients or other laypersons, or as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified health care professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most recently updated information.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Leave a Reply:Cancel reply

Follow us on social media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright 2016 to 2025: Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved.