Xenical 120mg Capsules (Orlistat)

Xenical 120mg capsules contain orlistat, a prescription-only medicine used as part of a weight management programme alongside dietary and lifestyle changes.

Xenical works within the digestive system to reduce the amount of dietary fat absorbed by the body. Treatment should be combined with a nutritionally balanced, mildly calorie-reduced diet and appropriate lifestyle changes.

Active ingredient: Orlistat 120mg
Form: Hard capsules
Medicine type: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
Suitable for: Adults who meet the appropriate clinical eligibility criteria

What is Xenical 120mg?

Xenical is a branded medicine containing 120mg of orlistat per capsule.

Orlistat is used to support weight management in suitable adults. It is intended to be used alongside changes to diet and lifestyle rather than as a replacement for them.

Whether Xenical is appropriate for you will depend on factors including your BMI, medical history, current medicines and any weight-related health conditions.

A clinical assessment is required before Xenical can be prescribed.

How does Xenical work?

Xenical works differently from medicines that affect appetite.

Orlistat acts mainly within the stomach and small intestine by blocking some of the enzymes responsible for breaking down dietary fat.

As a result, some of the fat eaten in meals is not absorbed by the body and instead passes naturally through the digestive system.

Because Xenical acts on dietary fat, maintaining a balanced diet with an appropriate amount of fat is an important part of treatment.

Who may be suitable for Xenical?

Xenical may be considered for adults who:

• Have a BMI of 30kg/m² or above, or

• Have a BMI of 28kg/m² or above together with associated weight-related risk factors

• Are willing to follow an appropriate reduced-calorie diet and make lifestyle changes

• Have been assessed as suitable by an appropriate prescriber

Suitability is assessed individually. Meeting a particular BMI does not automatically mean Xenical will be appropriate for you.

How do you take Xenical 120mg?

The usual adult dose is:

One Xenical 120mg capsule with each main meal, up to three times daily.

The capsule should be taken with water:

• Immediately before a meal

• During the meal, or

• Up to one hour after the meal

If you miss a meal, or the meal contains no fat, the Xenical dose should be omitted.

Do not take more than the prescribed amount. Taking more than 120mg three times daily has not been shown to provide additional benefit.

Always follow the directions given by your prescriber and the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine.

What should I eat while taking Xenical?

Xenical should be used alongside a nutritionally balanced, mildly calorie-reduced diet.

Your daily intake of fat, carbohydrate and protein should generally be spread across your main meals.

Eating a meal that is particularly high in fat can increase the likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects such as oily stools, urgency or increased bowel movements.

Fruit and vegetables should form part of a balanced diet.

How quickly does Xenical work?

Orlistat begins affecting the absorption of dietary fat shortly after treatment begins.

Changes in weight happen gradually and vary considerably between individuals. Xenical is not intended to produce immediate weight loss and works best as part of a longer-term programme involving diet and lifestyle changes.

Treatment should normally be reviewed after 12 weeks.

If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting body weight after 12 weeks, the prescribing information recommends that treatment with orlistat is discontinued.

Your prescriber will advise you about ongoing treatment.

Xenical vs Orlistat – what is the difference?

Orlistat is the name of the active medicine.

Xenical is a brand of orlistat containing 120mg per capsule.

Other products containing orlistat are available, including lower-strength pharmacy medicines and other formulations.

Although products may contain the same active ingredient, their strength, licensing status and suitability can differ.

A healthcare professional can advise which treatment, if any, is appropriate for you.

Does Xenical suppress your appetite?

No.

Xenical does not primarily work by reducing hunger or suppressing appetite.

Its active ingredient, orlistat, works within the digestive system to reduce the absorption of some of the fat contained in food.

Dietary and lifestyle changes remain an important part of treatment.

What are the common side effects of Xenical?

Because Xenical reduces the absorption of dietary fat, many of its common side effects affect the digestive system.

These can include:

• Oily or fatty stools

• Oily spotting

• Increased bowel movements

• Sudden or urgent need to open your bowels

• Flatulence

• Wind with discharge

• Loose or liquid stools

• Abdominal discomfort or pain

• Soft stools

These effects can be more noticeable after eating meals that contain a large amount of fat.

Some people may experience other side effects.

Always read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine for a complete list of possible side effects.

Are there any serious side effects?

Serious reactions are uncommon but can occur.

Seek medical advice promptly if you develop symptoms that could indicate a serious allergic reaction, significant liver problems, severe or persistent abdominal symptoms, rectal bleeding or another unexpected severe reaction.

If you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or another severe allergic reaction, seek urgent medical assistance.

Who should not take Xenical?

Xenical may not be suitable for everyone.

It should not be used by people who:

• Are allergic to orlistat or another ingredient in Xenical

• Have chronic malabsorption syndrome

• Have cholestasis

• Are breastfeeding

Extra caution may also be required during pregnancy or if you have certain medical conditions.

Your prescriber will assess your medical history before deciding whether treatment is appropriate.

Can Xenical interact with other medicines?

Yes. Orlistat can interact with some medicines or affect their absorption.

It is particularly important to tell your prescriber if you use medicines including:

• Warfarin or other anticoagulants

• Ciclosporin

• Levothyroxine or other thyroid treatment

• Anti-epileptic medicines

• Amiodarone

• Certain medicines used to treat HIV

• Acarbose

• Medicines for diabetes

• Certain medicines used for mental health conditions

This is not a complete list.

Tell the prescriber about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements you currently take.

Xenical and contraception

Orlistat does not directly reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills.

However, severe diarrhoea may prevent the contraceptive pill from being absorbed properly.

If you experience severe diarrhoea, you should follow the advice in your contraceptive pill leaflet and consider using an additional contraceptive method where recommended.

Xenical and vitamins

Because Xenical reduces the absorption of dietary fat, it may also reduce the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins:

Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K.

Eating a varied diet containing fruit and vegetables can help maintain good nutrition.

If your healthcare professional recommends a multivitamin supplement, it should generally be taken at least two hours after Xenical or at bedtime.

Can I take Xenical during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Xenical requires particular consideration during pregnancy and should only be used following appropriate medical assessment.

Xenical must not be used while breastfeeding.

Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, are trying for a baby or are breastfeeding.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose and it has been more than one hour since your meal, do not take an extra capsule to make up for it.

If you miss the meal completely, or the meal contains no fat, the dose should be omitted.

Continue with your next appropriate dose as directed.

Can I take more Xenical to lose more weight?

No.

Taking more than the recommended dose does not provide additional proven benefit and may increase the risk of unwanted effects.

Always take Xenical exactly as prescribed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Xenical the same as orlistat?

Xenical contains orlistat as its active ingredient. Xenical 120mg therefore provides 120mg of orlistat in each capsule.

Is Xenical a weight loss injection?

No. Xenical is an oral capsule.

Does Xenical burn existing body fat?

Xenical works by reducing the absorption of some dietary fat in the digestive system. It does not directly “burn” stored body fat.

Do I need to diet while taking Xenical?

Xenical is intended to be used alongside a balanced, reduced-calorie diet and lifestyle changes.

Should I take Xenical if I do not eat a meal?

No. If a main meal is missed, the dose should also be omitted.

Should I take Xenical with a fat-free meal?

If the meal contains no fat, the dose should be omitted.

How long can I take Xenical?

The appropriate duration of treatment depends on your response and individual circumstances.

Treatment should normally be reviewed after 12 weeks. If at least 5% of starting body weight has not been lost during that period, the prescribing information recommends discontinuing orlistat.

Your prescriber will determine whether continued treatment is appropriate.

Important Information

Xenical 120mg is a prescription-only medicine.

The information on this page is intended to provide factual information about the medicine and does not replace advice from a doctor, pharmacist or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Treatment should only be supplied following an appropriate clinical assessment and where a prescriber determines that it is suitable for the individual patient.

Always read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine before starting treatment.

If you experience side effects, speak to your doctor, pharmacist or prescriber. Suspected adverse reactions can also be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.