Xenical is a prescription diet pill with the active ingredient orlistat. While it's not a magic diet pill that melts fat away, it is prescribed for individuals with weight problems that puts them at greater health risks. Xenical diet pill are designed to help obese individuals who fit a certain weight requirement to lose weight. Xenical is generally prescribed to person with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
Details: Brand Name: Xenical®
Active Ingredient: orlistat
Strength: 120mg
Dosage Form: Capsule
Company Name: Roche
Availability: Prescription only
Date Approved by the FDA: April 23, 1999
It is recommended to follow a reduced calorie diet while taking Xenical, and that no more than 30% of the total daily calories should come from fat sources. Basically, what this means is that for a 2000 calories diet, there should be no more than 67g of fat consumed. It's quite easy to calculate how many grams of fat is 30%. Here's a simple formula:
30% Gram of fat = ( Your Total Daily Calories x 30% ) / 9
For example: say I'm trying to follow a 3000 calorie per day diet, my grams of fat should not exceed 100g:
= ( 3000 calories x 30% ) / 9
= 100g
Note: you divide by 9 because each gram of fat has 9 calories.
How Does Xenical (Orlistat) Work?
There are 3 macronutrients in our diet: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. A macronutrient is a nutrient that provides calories or energy. Of the 3 macro nutrients, FAT is the most calorie dense compared to protein and carbs. One gram of protein and carbohydrate each provide 4 calories, whereas one gram of fat provides 9 calories - more than twice the amount of protein and carbs. As you can see, one gram of fat is not equal to one gram of protein or carbohydrate.
If you eat excessive amounts of fat or calories, the excess is stored as fat in the body leading to unwanted weight gain. Unlike other thermogenic, stimulant based, or appetite suppressing diet pills, Xenical works in your digestive system as a fat blocker. It blocks about 1/3 of the fat you consume from being digested.
Xenical works inside your intestines by blocking some of the fat you eat from being absorbed; however, this is not a reason to consume more fat in your diet - for it to be effective, you still need to keep your calories from fat to less than 30% of the calories you consume. Once Xenical (Orlistat) blocks the fat, the undigested fat is then removed from your body in your bowel movements. The effects of Xenical only continue as long as your taking it.
An enzyme in the digestive system called lipase helps break down fat. When Xenical diet pills are taken with meals, it attaches to the lipase and prevents this enzyme from breaking down some of the fat your consumed. The undigested fat is not absorbed and is removed by your bowel movements.
How To Take Xenical?
At your consultation, review all medications that you're currently taking with your doctor. Each capsule contains 120mg of the active ingredient Orlistat. The recommended dose is one 120mg capsule with each main meal that contains fat, and should be taken no more than 3 times per day. It should be taken in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet, with no more than 30% calories coming from fat sources. For meals that do not contain fat, you do not need to take Xenical.
Xenical may interfere with the absorption of some fat soluble vitamins and beta carotene. So it's recommended to take a multivitamin supplement that contains vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and beta carotene. If you are diabetic, Xenical may affect your blood sugar control. So it's important to see your doctor regularly for checkups. You must also tell your doctor if you're pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breast-feeding.
If you have some of the following conditions, you cannot take the Xenical weight loss pill:
