Xenical
Xencial (orlistat)
is a prescription medication that can help considerably overweight
people lose weight and keep it off.
Xenical is
prescribed to people who have a body
mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. It may also be prescribed
for people with BMIs of 27 or higher when they have other conditions
(such as diabetes or sleep apnea) that are made worse by being
overweight. Xenical is designed to be used along with a mildly
reduced-calorie diet (a diet that includes no more than 30% of
its calories from fat). A regular exercise program is also an
important part of any weight-loss treatment plan.
Xenical works
by preventing your intestines from absorbing some of the fat from
the food you eat. When taken 3 times a day, Xenical blocks about
one-third of the fat you eat from being absorbed. This fat passes
through your intestines and is excreted in your stool. When you
absorb less fat, you take in fewer calories, which causes weight
loss. Xencial does not affect your appetite like other prescription
diet pills.
Studies show
that people who follow a reduced-calorie diet and take Xenical
for 6 to 12 months lose about 17 lbs to 22 lbs, while people who
follow the same diet but do not take Xenical lose about 11 lbs
to 13 lbs.
About 40%
of people who take Xenical and follow a low-calorie diet lose
more than 10% of their body weight, compared with about 20% of
people who use diet only.
After 2 years
of taking Xenical, 57.1% of people maintain a weight loss of at
least 5% of their original body weight, compared with 37.4% of
people who follow the same diet but do not take Xenical. Also,
34.1% maintain a weight loss of at least 10% of their original
body weight, compared with 17.5% of people who follow the same
diet but do not take Xenical.
DOSAGE
INFORMATION
Xenical is
available in hard-gelatin capsules containing 120 mg capsules
of the active ingredient, orlistat.
The typical
dose is 120 mg 3 times daily with meals or up to 1 hour after
eating meals that contain fat.
For more information
about Xenical, visit the following pages:
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