Xenical is the trade name under which the prescription medication Orlistat is sold. It is manufactured and marketed by Roche but is also sold over the counter as Alli by GlaxoSmithKline in the UK and the US. Xenical is a medication that is indicated in the treatment of obesity. It works by stopping the absorption of fat found in the diet of patients. When the fat ceases to be absorbed it will reduce the intake of calories can result in weight loss. Xenical should only be taken by those who modify their diet and are under the care of a qualified doctor. Clinical trials have shown that Xenical does work. Those who take Xenical, eat better, and adopt an active lifestyle usually lose about six pounds more than those who do not take the drug over a course of a year. It has also been shown to help reduce blood pressure and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
The reason that Xenical works is because it inhibits gastric and pancreatic lipases, which are the enzymes that break down triglycerides in the intestines. When this activity is blocked the body cannot absorb free fatty acids, allowing for them to be excreted undigested. Most patients will get the desired results by taking a dose of 120mg three times a day. The medication will be taken before meals and will prevent about 30% of dietary fats from being absorbed.
As is the case with all medications, Xenical is known to cause gastrointestinal upset. Most often it causes oily, loose stools and causes excessive flatulence which is due to the unabsorbed fats when they reach the large intestine. Many patients report fecal incontinence or urgent bowel movements. Most of these side effects can be avoided by following a low fat and reduced calorie diet. The oily stools can be reduced or controlled by consuming less than 15 grams of fat per meal. It should also be known to those who take Xenical that they will have a difficult time absorbing vitamins A, D, E, K, and beta-carotene. As such, patients taking Xenical should take a multivitamin that contains these vitamins each night at bedtime.