|
 HOW
DOES XENICAL WORK?
XENICAL does not act centrally on the brain to reduce
appetite. Its action takes place in the lumen of the
stomach and absorption of the drug into the blood is
minimal. In contradistinction, most other weight loss
medicines act on specific areas of the brain to reduce
appetite. You eat less, you lose weight - but at a price.
In order to get to the brain, these drugs must enter
the blood stream. Therefore, these drugs may have systemic
side effects (central nervous system and cardiovascular),
ranging from minor to severe and are indicated only
for short-term use. But, most important, these drugs
do little if anything to help people change their eating
habits or lifestyles. Therefore, when they stop taking
the drugs, the weight is quickly regained.
XENICAL, on the other hand, is a reversible inhibitor
of lipases made in the stomach and pancreas. Lipases
are enzymes that break down fat. After we eat a fatty
meal (such as meat) fats reach the stomach in a form
called triglycerides. Triglycerides cannot be absorbed
into the blood unless lipases break them down into compounds
called fatty acids. XENICAL prevents this breakdown
and the undigested triglycerides are excreted into the
stool. The resulting decrease in caloric intake can
have a positive effect on weight control.
Top
HOW
MUCH WEIGHT CAN I LOSE WITH XENICAL?
There is no clear-cut amount of weight that can be lost
when taking XENICAL. Remember, in order for XENICAL
to work optimally you must restrict your fat intake
and exercise. If you are committed to your weight loss
program there is essentially no limit as to how much
weight you can loose. Nonetheless, weight loss should
be gradual and always be done safely. While it is important
that you decrease you fat intake it is equally as important
that you eat healthy and insure you obtain all essential
nutrients each and every day. Keep in mind that even
a small amount of weight loss can reward you with a
big gain in your health. A loss of 5 to 10% of your
current weight can result in a significant reduction
of risk for disease.
Top
CLINICAL
EFFICACY STUDIES:
Pooled data from multiple trials indicated that weight
loss averaged 12.4 lbs. to 13.4 lbs. in patients taking
XENICAL. Overall 57% of treated patients lost over 5%
of their base-line body weight. Those on XENICAL showed
a decrease in total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol
(low density cholesterol). This form of cholesterol
acts to promote the deposition of fatty plaques along
the walls of arteries. There was a concomitant increase
in HDL cholesterol (high density cholesterol). This
form of cholesterol acts to inhibit the deposition of
fatty plaques along the walls of arteries. In international
clinical studies with thousands of patients, most individuals
using XENICAL lost, on average, 10% of their initial
body weight over a 6-8 month period.
Top
ARE
THERE OTHER BENEFITS TO TAKING XENICAL?
In addition to reducing weight, XENICAL reduces:
- high blood pressure.
- the amount of anti-diabetic medication required (if
already diabetic).
- triglycerides.
- body fat.
- the chance of developing type II diabetes.
Top
WHO
SHOULD TAKE XENICAL?
XENICAL is a serious weight loss medication, indicated
only for those who are truly obese (obesity is defined
as having an initial body mass index greater than or
equal to 30 kg/m2 or 27 kg/m2 in the presence of other
risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes or increased
serum cholesterol). The initial body mass index is calculated
utilizing the patient’s height and weight. Therefore
it in not generally recommended that it be used as a
“summer” medication for transient weight loss.
It is most commonly recommended that it be prescribed
for those who are willing to make serious permanent
changes in their eating and exercise habits
Top
WHEN
SHOULD I START TAKING XENICAL?
When you are ready to control your diet so that no more
than one third of calories come from fat and you are
willing to commit yourself to beginning and continuing
with a graded exercise program you are then ready to
start taking XENICAL.
Top
HOW
DO I START TAKING XENICAL?
Questions that should be answered before I begin this
medicine include:
- Am I overweight?
- Am I at risk for diseases associated with being overweight?
- How much weight can I realistically lose?
- Can I achieve this goal with diet and exercise alone?
- Am I committed to managing my weight?
- What kinds of support will I require to help me manage
my weight (such as nutritionist, dietician, physical
therapist, or psychologist)?
- Are these resources available to me?
Top
WHAT
IS THE CORRECT DOSAGE OF XENICAL?
One capsule (120milligrams) is taken three times daily
with each main meal - up two hours after eating. Taking
a capsule with each meal is convenient and easy to remember.
Top
HOW
QUICKLY DOES XENICAL WORK?
In one clinical study, weight loss attributed to XENICAL
was seen as early as 2 weeks after starting this medicine.
In patients who participate in a graded exercise program
that slowly increases the amount of physical activity
performed each week, weight loss my be seen ever faster.
Top
HOW
LONG CAN I CONTINUE TAKING XENICAL?
One of the benefits of XENICAL is that while you lose
weight, you are changing your eating habits and lifestyle.
By the time you have reached your goal, you may be able
to maintain your weight through diet and exercise alone.
If, however, you start to regain weight, you can safely
resume taking XENICAL. XENICAL has been shown to be
safe for up to two years of continuous use. XENICAL
can become part of your long-term weight maintenance
program.
Top
DO
I HAVE TO TAKE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS?
Yes, it is worthwhile to take a vitamin supplement that
contains fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and
D. XENICAL has been shown to reduce the absorption of
some fat-soluble vitamins and beta-carotene. The supplement
should be taken once a day at least 2 hours before or
2 hours after a dose of XENICAL. Bedtime is a very convenient
time to take your vitamin.
Top
IF
I TAKE MORE THAN ONE CAPSULE AT A TIME, WILL IT BLOCK
MORE FAT?
No. There is absolutely no benefit to taking more than
the recommended dose.
Top
DO
I HAVE TO TAKE A CAPSULE WITH EVERY MEAL?
If you skip a meal or your meal contains little fat
(note: be careful of the hidden fats in many foods),
there is no reason to take XENICAL, although there is
no harm in taking the capsule. Taking a capsule with
each meal will help you to remember and avoid missing
doses.
Top
WHAT
IF I EAT MORE THAN THREE MEALS A DAY?
It is strongly recommended that you eat several meals
throughout the day. But, you should not take more than
3 XENICAL capsules per day.
Top
WHAT
IF I MISS TAKING A CAPSULE WITH A MEAL?
Nothing. You simply miss the benefit of the medication.
Top
DOES
XENICAL INTERACT WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS?
Clinical studies have shown that XENICAL does not interact
with commonly used medications. However, before starting
XENICAL it is essential that you tell us on your medical
history/personal profile of any and all medications
(prescription and non-prescription) that you are currently
taking.
Top
DOES
XENICAL HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
XENICAL has none of the side effects normally associated
with diet medications that act on the brain. XENICAL’s
side effects are strictly gastrointestinal in nature
and related to its action of blocking the digestion
of ingested fat. The fat that is not absorbed into the
bloodstream remains in the intestine and becomes mixed
with the stool. The increased fat in the stool can cause
any of the following:
- gas (flatulence) - sometimes with oily spotting.
- increased frequency of bowel movements.
- fatty/ oily stool.
How often or how quickly these effects occur will vary
from person to person and will depend on how much extra
fat was consumed. They can occur within hours after
eating a meal or up to a day or two later. These side
effects usually occur early in treatment, last for only
a short period, and disappear over time. Importantly,
you can control the effects if you control your fat
intake. Remember: it's not the XENICAL, it's the fat
you eat that causes the events.
Top
COULD
I BECOME ADDICTED TO XENICAL?
Physiological dependence does not occur because XENICAL
is not absorbed into the blood. Nonetheless, psychological
dependence can rarely become a problem. Thus, the notion
that this medicine is totally non-addictive is false.
Top
CAN
I OVERDOSE ON XENICAL?
XENICAL is very safe. There have been no cases of overdosing.
In experiments, patients who took doses of XENICAL many
times over the recommended dose experienced no ill effects.
Remember, taking more XENICAL gives no extra benefit.
ORDER
NOW!
|
