Xenical: A Medicine For Obesity

Xenical is a medicine for obesity whose active substance is orlistat. This active substance helps to reduce the absorption of fats that you consume at meals by 30%.

Xenical: a medicine for obesity

Xenical is a medicine for obesity that works by absorbing fats from food. However, it does not affect appetite, just like other types of medications indicated to treat obesity.

The body dissolves the fats you eat at meals through the action of enzymes called lipases. This drug acts on them, preventing the absorption of fats. As a result of this action, 30% of the fats you ingest at meals are eliminated in the feces without being metabolized.

Due to its mechanism of action, Xenical helps people lose weight and maintain their weight for a long time. It can also relieve certain diseases with cardiovascular risk, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and high glucose levels.

Indications for the drug Xenical

This medicine is for obese people with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30 kg / m2. However, it is also an option for overweight patients with a BMI equal to or greater than 28 kg / m2, provided that they, in addition to being overweight, have associated risk factors.

If the patient does not lose at least 5% of their initial weight after three months of treatment with Xenical, they should stop treatment.

How to take Xenical

Contraindications to this drug

Very rarely, hypothyroidism with thyroid abnormalities may occur. This effect may occur as a consequence of decreased absorption of iodine or levothyroxine salts caused by the drug.

In addition, Xenical decreases the absorption of antiepileptic drugs, which can lead to seizures. It also reduces the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin E and beta-carotene. For this reason, while taking this medicine, your doctor may advise you to take a vitamin supplement. In addition, it is important to adopt a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Xenical enhances the effect of some drugs that are used to lower blood cholesterol. Therefore, patients may need to readjust their treatment dose.

If you take birth control pills, Xenical can cause severe diarrhea. Your doctor will recommend that you use barrier contraception.

Conclusion

However, it is essential to follow a low-calorie diet during treatment and exercise regularly. If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.