Orlistat 120mg Tablet

Orlistat 120mg Tablet should be taken along with food in the dose and duration as per prescription. It must be swallowed as a whole. It works best when it is used along with regular physical activity and a healthy diet. It should not be taken for a long term unless your doctor tells you to do so. For better efficacy of the medicine, fat-rich foods should be avoided along with the medicine.

Some of the common side effects of Orlistat 120mg Tablet include the presence of fat in the stool, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If any of the side effects bother you, tell your doctor without delay.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women must take this medicine only with a valid prescription. Inform your doctor before taking the medicine if you have any other medical conditions or are taking any other medications. This medicine should not be considered as a long-term treatment unless you are prescribed by your doctor.

Obesity

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Orlistat 120mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.Avoid Orlistat 120mg Tablet with high-fat meals such as olive oil, nuts & seeds (Brazil nuts), dark chocolate, butter and meat.

Orlistat 120mg Tablet is a lipase inhibitor. It works in the stomach and small intestine by blocking the absorption of fat from food by blocking enzymes responsible for the breakdown of fat.

If you miss a dose of Orlistat 120mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Orlistat 120mg Tablet is used to aid weight loss in obese individuals.

It should be used along with regular physical activity and a healthy diet.

Take it during or up to 1 hour after each meal.

Skip your dose if you miss a meal or if your meal contains no fat.

A multivitamin supplement containing vitamins A, D, and K is recommended when taking Orlistat 120mg Tablet.

It should not be taken for longer than six months. If you have been unable to lose weight after 12 weeks of taking this medicine, you should stop taking it and consult your doctor.

Q. How long can you stay on Orlistat 120mg Tablet?

It is not advised to take Orlistat 120mg Tablet for more than 6 months. Consult your doctor and stop the medication if you do not experience any weight reduction 12 weeks after starting your treatment with Orlistat 120mg Tablet.

Q. Who should not take Orlistat 120mg Tablet?

You should not take Orlistat 120mg Tablet if you are allergic to it, have difficulty absorbing food (chronic malabsorption syndrome), and have cholestasis (a condition where the flow of bile from the liver is blocked). Refrain from using Orlistat 120mg Tablet if you are taking cyclosporine medicine or blood thinners like warfarin. Along with that, avoid Orlistat 120mg Tablet if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Q. What kind of diet should I follow while on Orlistat 120mg Tablet?

You should stick to low-calorie low-fat diet while taking Orlistat 120mg Tablet. Having a high-fat meal with Orlistat 120mg Tablet might increase the chances of developing unpleasant side effects. Try to eat more vegetables and fruits, have small portions, eat regularly, and do not skip any meals.

Q. Can you drink alcohol on Orlistat 120mg Tablet?

Though alcohol does not interfere with the working of Orlistat 120mg Tablet, it is recommended that you cut on or avoid alcohol. Alcohol contains calories which will add to your weight. Hence, for effective weight reduction it is best to avoid alcohol.

Q. How quickly does Orlistat 120mg Tablet work?

Orlistat 120mg Tablet starts working quickly, within 24-48 hours of taking it. You may even notice fat in your stools. However, it may take about a week or two to show effective weight reduction, which will vary from person to person.

Q. Is it important to follow an exercise program while taking Orlistat 120mg Tablet?

Yes, exercise may prove to be very helpful for the effective weight reduction and maintenance of reduced weight. An exercise program and low-calorie intake will help maintain your weight even after discontinuation of the medicine.

Q. How does Orlistat 120mg Tablet help with weight loss?

Orlistat 120mg Tablet belongs to a class of medicines known as lipase inhibitors. It targets the fat that you eat. It prevents about 25% of fat in your meals from being absorbed. This unabsorbed fat will get passed in stools and get removed from the body.

Q. How should I take Orlistat 120mg Tablet?

Take Orlistat 120mg Tablet three times a day and swallow the capsule whole with water. Take it just before, during, or up to one hour after meals. The meal should be well balanced and should include low calorie ingredients. Do not take Orlistat 120mg Tablet if you miss a meal or your meal does not contain fat, as it will not work in the absence of fat.

Q. How much weight can you lose in a week with Orlistat 120mg Tablet?

You should set a realistic goal of weight reduction. Aim to reduce 5-10% of your starting weight. This weight loss process should be gradual and at a steady pace. You should try to reduce 0.5 kg of weight per week.

In Obesity

Orlistat 120mg Tablet decreases cravings for food now and then. This helps reduce food intake and enables you to cut down on those extra calories that are responsible for gaining weight due to overeating. Therefore, this medicine helps to treat obesity and prevents the complications of being overweight like diabetes, high blood pressure, and other serious problems. It also improves your confidence by helping you lose weight and enhances your quality of life.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Soft stools

Flatulence

Abdominal cramp

Diarrhea

Oily spotting

Flatus with discharge

Fat in stool

Abdominal pain

Alcohol:SAFE

Consuming alcohol with Orlistat 120mg Tablet does not cause any harmful side effects.

Pregnancy:UNSAFE

Orlistat 120mg Tablet is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor’s advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.

Breast feeding:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Orlistat 120mg Tablet is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.

Driving:SAFE

Orlistat 120mg Tablet does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Orlistat 120mg Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Orlistat 120mg Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.Use of this medicine may be associated with the formation of kidney stones in patients with underlying kidney disease.

Liver:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Orlistat 120mg Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Orlistat 120mg Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1030-31.

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