Orlistat Side Effects, Overdose and Pregnancy Information

Orlistat side effects may include allergic reactions like skin rash or hives, arthritis, back pain, dark urine, blood in the urine, and breathing problems. Other Orlistat side effects may include flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, urgent bowel movements, fatigue, yellowing of the eyes or skin, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and stomach pain.

Orlistat Side Effects Reporting

If you experience any Orlistat side effects not mentioned above you should report it to your primary health care provider or FDA 1-800-FDA-1088 in the United States, Health Canada 1-866-225-0709 in Canada, MHRA 020 3080 6000 in UK, or TGA 1800 020 653 in Australia.

Orlistat is a type of drug known as a lipase inhibitor. It is used to aid weight loss in people who are overweight or obese. Orlistat is not absorbed into the bloodstream, but works in the stomach and small intestine, where it prevents the working of two digestive enzymes known as gastric and pancreatic lipases. One Orlistat capsule is taken three times a day at mealtimes to prevent fat from being absorbed by the body. This deprives the body from using the fat as a source of energy, or converts it into fat tissue resulting in weight loss.

Orlistat and Pregnancy

Orlistat should not be used during pregnancy. Nursing mothers should switch to bottle-feed while using Orlistat.

Orlistat Overdose

In case of Orlistat overdose seek medical attention right away.

Orlistat Warning and Caution

Orlistat should not be given to people with chronic malabsorption syndrome.

People in whom the flow of bile from the liver to the intestines is blocked (cholestasis).

Orlistat should be taken immediately before, during, or up to one hour after each main meal. If a meal is missed, or contains no fat, you should leave out the dose. This is because Orlistat will have no effect if no fat has been consumed.

Do not take more than three Orlistat capsules per day.

As Orlistat works by preventing the absorption of fat, you are more likely to experience digestive side effects such as gas, sudden bowel motions, and soft, fatty or oily stools, if you take Orlistat with a meal that is very high in fat.

Orlistat may potentially impair the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K).

If you experience severe or persistent rectal bleeding while taking Orlistat you should consult your physician.

Orlistat can cause diarrhea, which if severe, can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills.

Orlistat should not be given to children under 18 years of age.

Orlistat should be used with caution in people with:

Long-term kidney disease.

Diabetes. (If you have diabetes, weight loss may be accompanied by an improvement in your blood sugar levels, in which case your dose of antidiabetic drug may then need to be adjusted).

Hypothyroidism.

Epilepsy.

Orlistat Interaction

Orlistat should not be used in combination with the following:

Acarbose

Ciclosporin

People taking anti-blood-clotting medicines (such as warfarin)

Orlistat may decrease the blood level of amiodarone.

If you are taking medicines for diabetes, you may need an adjustment in your dose if you lose weight while taking Orlistat. This is because weight loss may be accompanied by an improvement in your blood sugar levels.

If you are taking medicines for high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, you may need an adjustment in your dose if you lose weight while taking Orlistat. This is because your weight loss may be accompanied by an improvement in your blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

Orlistat may possibly reduce the absorption of levothyroxine (taken for an underactive thyroid gland).

Orlistat may possibly reduce the absorption of antiepileptic medicines such as valproate or lamotrigine.

If you take a multivitamin supplement with this medicine, it should be taken at least two hours after your Orlistat dose, or at bedtime, as otherwise the Orlistat will prevent the vitamins being absorbed.


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