Xenical Over the Counter: Big Mistake?

I've been waiting for a drug as Xenical to arrive. However I'm worried because I suffer from kidney stones and the doctor said it would be safe for me to use. He mentioned that I am really obese. I also have Hypo-Thyroids and high cholestrol, and diabetes not to mention. So I pray this will help me because a compulsive eater I'm not. Yes a poor eater on eating properly I'am. P.S. I for got to mention I suffer from PCO'S aswell. Please someone let me know if xenical will beneffit me. I'm really dedicated to new healthy lifestyle for me and my loved ones.

Thanks, Eli

i took xenical for 7 months and lost 40 lbs. i took it because its very hard for me to loose weight.at the time i was 18 and 240 lbs. but the side effects were gross. and when i stopped taking the pills i gained the weight back. it really is not worth going through the nasty side effects if its not healthy. if you eat healthy and exercise youll loose weight slowly but in a healthy way and you wont have oily spotting!

hi i was wondering if these tablets have any effects on the stomach get bk asap i need 2 know my email is ash_is_here_2006@hotmail.com

I took approximately 2 xenical pills, 120mm. I am lactose intollerant. I avoid milk/dariy products like the plague. I now also avoid products with eggs in them as well due to recent findings that i have bowel problems with them. Anyways, over the past 24 to 30 hours, i've had nothing but gas, "anal-seepage"(when you think your going to pass gas, you actually leak into your clothing). It also takes away your mobility to get things done and worrying about making an accident on yourself. Also making sure that you have proper access to a wash cloth or baby wipe/wet one to rinse your underside.

My purpose in posting this is to discurage those taking xenical as it is not in my opinion appropriate for losing weight. This pill will only give you a quick fix for a major life changing problem. If you have the money at your disposal and a health club near by, your best bet is to gain some more muscle. Then much of your weight will drop--quantity may varie.

This pill is probably the most horrific experience i've ever encountered as far as side effects go. Oily orange discharge is not a pretty sight. Nor does the fact that when you eat, you almost think your food smalls like what is comming out of your anus.

The only thing that I do not like about Xenical is the oily discharge.

Question. My doctor just put me on Xenical. It was suggested I stay on a low-fat 1200 calorie a day diet while taking Xenical. Does this work if I am on a low fat diet? It I was (or could have stay) on a low fat diet I would lose without this pill, but if I really do stay on low fat will Xenical still work and will I lose weight. I need to lose 40 lbs. and have tried everything, everything and every diet program out there. Just once I want something to work, I start out great then go off. I ache to lose weight, not to be thin, just to have people stop making fun or staring at me like I'm from Mars. Has anyone lost a lot of weight using Xenical?

Ok, i've been taking it for 2 months now and have lost 37 pounds... but I have to say I am also going to the gym and eating much better. Here is the answers you been looking for. The people that have complained about the oily spotting are correct, but they are also wrong I think. Initially, the same thing happened to me, but the difference was that I stuck it out and I also followed the doctors orders with a low fat diet. Here's the thing, your body needs to gradually get used to the medication.. I would recommend 1 pill each day for a week, then 2 pills each day for another week, then max with breakfast lunch and dinner the 3rd week...this way your body gets used to the pill, you get less oily discharge, and you finally figure out how you should be eating... the truth is the oily dicharge thingy is a good "punishment" to eating fatty foods. But after a while you'll understand what you need to do as far as eating right and the balance between how much fat to intolerable discharge etc... The truth is if you can do this for a long time... you develop a lifestyle of eating less fat (because you are scared of the shit stains) and thats just good period. Actually, if you can do that well and excercise you can say good by to this pill cause you will be losing anyway. anyway, you got questions email me.... biosplash@aol.com
I'm single, but not for long.

As of May of 2006 xenical still not available over the counter. Why & When?

what i really wanted to ask is if you know anybody who had developed Urinary tract infection because of XENICAL? i had been taking the drug for 2 weeks and i never had any problems with my bladder or kidneys. i was surprised when all of a sudden, i was urinating with blood and it was very very painful. i went to the hospital here in the Philippines. We dont really have alot of knowledge with regards to Xenical here in our country and not alot of doctors here are familiar with the drug and its side effects yet. I believe i got my UTI from taking Xenical. PLease help!

Hi Guys,

It is always advisable to consult your physician before taking any diet pills.

It is stupid to take pills for losing weight.You should take pills only when you are 300 kg or over.

I am sick of hearing people whinging about xenical. I was on it when I was around 90kilos ( pounds is approx that number doubled ) and I got down to 59kilos. I kept to that weight for years until I got pregnant and am now back on xenical to lose the last 9 kilos I put on. Yes there are side effects as there are with eerything else but it is a healthy way to motivate someone who is overweight to eat healthy. The thing is when I tried to diet without the xenical I was more likely to eat bad foods because there was nothing to stop me. Now I am less likely to because I dont want to spend all day on the toilet. Eating fatty, greasy food just isnt worth the side effects. Its taught me to eat breakfast which I never used to do and helped me figure out healthy eating options. And when I came of it I was so used to my new healthy way of eating I rarely craved junk anymore ( although I would have the occassional treat!! ) Any way unlike other diet tablets that make you feel full xenical still lets you eat a decent ammount and the weight does stay off. With the other pills you stop them and you starting eating again and the weight goes back on. If it wasnt for xenical I would most likely still be overweight, unhealthy and unhappy. I think its great that it is available over the counter so people who need it have access to it. All drugs can be missused and thats never going to change. Obesity is a killer and if this tablet can help people become healthier then I am all for it.

I have used xenical and can say that it's great. Those of you who are worried about it being available for people to overdose on - you should take a step back.

There are already so many drugs out there available that people overdose on all the time. You can go to any drugstore and overdose on the tylenol if you wanted to.

Teenagers (females especially) in the US have a lot of self-image issues. Xenical being over the counter isn't going to create a mass herd of these girls to start a revolution where they all start popping Xenical. These girls already have issues and there are TONS of other weight-loss solutions, drugs, and unhealthy habits already out there. Xenical may become another one - but it's not going to be treated any differently than the other 100 bottles you can find at your local GNC store or the myriad of laxatives at CVS that high schools use to poop out everything they eat already.

Xenical works. Its different from other weight loss solutions. It's not a stimulant like most. I believe it'll have less damage overall to the body than the others that are basically just doped-down versions of amphetamines that will cause damage to your heart if used for prolong periods of time. Any medication out there can be overdosed on - that's the patients responsibility to take care of themselves. Our precious tylenol or aleve or claritin can all be dangerous if not used as recommended.

Xenical, as of now, isn't actually recommended for those looking for just a 10 lb loss of weight. Doctors don't prescribe it for these patients. There is a BMI index and there is a specific range in which it is recommended to use Xenical. There is another range where 'weight loss program is recommended', i.e. those looking for the 10 lb loss. Xenical is for serious weight loss, and can improve the overall quality of life for lots of people. One drawback is the price, and pretty much no insurance companies cover it.

I used xenical for maybe 5 months. Before starting it, I had been on a modified diet and exercise plan for close to a year with minimal or no results (lots of fluctuation). Doctor said that everybody's bodies are different and my metabolism just needs some help. Started the Xenical. After a year of no results I then added the xenical; with 5 months of xenical added to my already existing good diet and exercise schedule, i lost 40 lbs. The first week of the oily and sometimes uncontrollable stools is the worst. You have to get used to it. Patients will soon learn how their body reacts to the medicine and certain foods, and give themselves buffer times, i.e. eating at home before going out to a party or not taking the medicine if you are going out for a dinner engagement.

Even after taking the medicine, for about two weeks I could still feel the effects of it in my body. Occassionally a bad meal would produce the oily stools. After this period I have since kept my weight constant with my normal exercise and diet, no changes.

A friend of mine did this whole program with me and achieved very similar results. he however, takes one pill every other day just to help him maintain the weight. It recommends one pill per meal, but even that's not necessary. My friend will soon be stopping it all together and we can lead the rest of our lives in better health. This drug really can help people. If it's abused - that's a personal choice. The manufacturers can't be held accountable.

hi there,
i have to start by saying that i was diognosed with pcos nearly 2 years ago after the birth of my daughter.
we didnt take it to seriously as we already had one child, and didnt think it would be to hard to have another, but we were wrong.
i was over weight and wasnt ovulating because of my weight( i was 86kg), so i tried to lose the weight by myself but didnt have any success, then my doctor told my to try xenical, i was a bit sceptical but would try anything to get my weight down.
i have been on them for three week and have lost 7 kgs i havent been on a low calorie diet but have been exercising and i feel great, i have a long way to go but i have made a good start, and i ovulated for the first time in 2 years.
the first week on the tablets i was in the toilet alot but now it has calmed down heaps.
i only take 2 tablets a day at lunch and at tea.
everybody seems to have a different opinon on the pill but i say try it for a month and see how you go, it might be just what you are looking for or it might not but you just wont know untill you try.
thank you for reading.

I gotta say that I am actually stunned at the amount of negative comments. Xenical is a wonderful tool for weight loss. There are only two explainations for these negative comments. 1. Stupidity. You can't lose wieght (or obtain anything worthwhile in life, for that matter) without a price. You have to watch what you eat. And yes, the excess fat fairy doesen't come and remove your fat, it is expelled the same way as the rest of the waste from your body. 2. Ignorance. Weight loss and eating go hand in hand. If you think Xenical is a bad drug because you can't cram a large Domino's down your thoat without ugly consequences, go back to kindergarten.

To be fair, we are all different and will react to medications differently. No drug is for everyone. In my personal experience as well as the experiences of many people I know who have used this drug has been overwhelmingly positive. I have lost 30 pounds in 6 months, kept the weight off without Xenical, and have had limited side effects.

Another thing. Why does everyone on this board think that losing weight so they will look better is a bad thing? Is the only reason you wash your car is to preserve the structural integrity of the paint and therefore its longevity. No, you wash your car so it will look nice! Stop being so high and mighty. Sure I want to be healty, but I want to look better as well. If that is wrong, go ahead, let me have it!

hi, my name is amanda. ihave been taking xenical for a month, and let me tell u it works realy well i weighed 190 now weigh 170 thank god for this med. and i hope it dosnt go OTC the value would just go down.

"I gotta say that I am actually stunned at the amount of negative comments. Xenical is a wonderful tool for weight loss. There are only two explanations for these negative comments. 1. Stupidity. You can't lose wieght (or obtain anything worthwhile in life, for that matter) without a price. You have to watch what you eat. And yes, the excess fat fairy doesen't come and remove your fat, it is expelled the same way as the rest of the waste from your body. 2. Ignorance. Weight loss and eating go hand in hand. If you think Xenical is a bad drug because you can't cram a large Domino's down your thoat without ugly consequences, go back to kindergarten."

I totally agree. I think Xenical is a wonderful drug and wonder why more people don't take it - responsibly that is. I have lost 90 pounds and kept it off for 3 years. Xenical helped me to lose the first 70lbs - I had to get off my butt and work out to lose the last 20.

I have no idea why the website says that people taking Xenical lose 10-15 lbs in a year. I lost 15 pounds in the first month, then lost weight steadily but more slowly for the next 18 months.

As for the unpleasant side effects, they only lasted for the first month as my body got used to it. The leaflet that came in the box said that most people only experience the side effects for 4-6 weeks. People who have side-effects after the first 4-6 weeks are probably indulging in fatty foods.

And as for people saying that they want to take it to lose the last ten pounds, they are ill-informed. Xenical only works if you are very overweight.

My only criticism of Xenical is that it rides on the back of the "low fat" craze, and as we now know, a typical low-fat diet that's high in processed carbohydrates is unhealthy. I didn't understand about "good carbs" and "good fats" until after I lost the extra weight and started the South Beach Diet which helped me to lose bodyfat.

I would encourage people who are very overweight to 1) take Xenical 2) educate themselves about good carbs and good fats - the South Beach or Zone Diets are good places to start 3) take a multivitamin containing the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and 4) start working out. If I could go back and do it all again, that's exactly what I'd do!

I have read many accounts of people who started taking Xenical and gave up because they couldn't cope with the side effects. As John said, "the excess fat fairy ain't going to come along!" When I was still taking Xenical, I saw a locum doctor who said I was a real success story. He was very frustrated because he encouraged his overweight patients to take Xenical but they couldn't cope with the side effects. He wanted me to run a seminar for them!

when will it been available over the counter

If this is a fat blocker, does anybody know if it will also help with the pains associated with eating anything that contains fat in it with a person that has had their gallbladder removed?

I took this for one day. That was more than enough for me. I decided that I would rather deal with the indignity of being overweight, than the indignity of soiling myself.

Whoever came up with this drug hates overweight people and wants to punish them.

Just my two cents

hello, i have been reading everyone's blog. i seem to understand the concept of xenical. ok, it blocks a percentage of the consumption of fat, but what i would like to know is where is the miracle pill? the one that blocks the calories? whoever invents that will be a millionairre and i just hope i am around long enough to enjoy the effects of it.

i've only been taking xenical for 2 days and have had no side affects but i think that is partly due to the fact that i have read up on it and understand that if i eat fatty foods i will get the runs. last night i got take away but instead of going to kfc like i would normally i went top subway it seem that unlike with most diets when your on xenical you cant cheat i really love the idea of that if i get the runs it will be because i havent watched what i eat so i'll deserve what i get and will know better next time.

I used Xenical at the prescribed dosage (3 X 120 mg/day) for nine months. Combined with the required low fat diet, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and exercise, I was able to lose 32 pounds. I did experience the oily discharge occasionally, but I managed by using feminine panty-liners daily. Unfortunately, my insurance coverage changed and the new company would no longer pay for Xenical, partly because they said it was going to be offered otc. Over the past 10 months, though I have not altered my low-fat, high fruit/veg, high exercise lifestyle, I have put back on 15 of the pounds. Xenical gave me the boost I needed to drop the weight. It's still not available otc, so I am going back to my MD to fight for coverage.

"ok, it blocks a percentage of the consumption of fat, but what i would like to know is where is the miracle pill? the one that blocks the calories?"

KImberley - Xenical *does* block calories. It blocks the calories in the fat it absorbs. So if you eat something with, say, 80 calories from fat, then it will block/absorb those 80 calories.

Mel, if you'd eaten 30% less fat than the amount you ate on the Xenical, you'd have kept on losing weight.

Actually RedPanda, in your example, Xenical would block 24 calories exactly, or 30% of calories from fat (or more accurately, make you poop 24 of those calories from fat before digesting them). So still not a magical pill.

Jan - Sorry, maths isn't my strongest point! *blushes* Yeah, the Xenical would absorb 1/3 of those calories. Absorbing one-third of the calories from fat in every meal quickly adds up. Xenical isn't exactly magic, but in my case at least, it had magical results. :-)

Mel - just chiming in on Jan's comment. It sounds to me as though you didn't lower your calories in line with your lower weight. Having adopted a healthier lifestyle, maybe you don't need the Xenical after all - just to recalculate your daily intake?

Hehe, no problem. I have trouble eating enough fat actually. If they had a "absorbs 30% of carb calories" pill, then I'd be interested.

I tried xenical and it gave me headaches and I was always nautios.

I have uses Xenical in the past and I lost weight but the side effects were not worth the weight loss. I would now rather eat a smaller portions and exercise 3-4 times a week.

First of all, this stuff is expensive even with health insurance. I tryed it for kicks and boy was it embarrassing.

Not to be graphic, but you may lose control of your bowel functions, and if you do, you may stain your clothes with an unpleasant orange oily substance.

Diet and exercise are the best ways. Try green tea, coffee, guarana, or ginseng for energy....

Hi I'm writing from Australia, its actually not $180 over the counter here its only $108 australian, so that would be like 80 american, you get a month's worth. i found that it didnt give you the runs, it has actually constipated me, i waited four days to have a bowel movement which is weird for me usually im once a day. i havent lost any wieght at all and eat normally. so i dunno if it works or not ?

I am concerned with the selling of kitchen knives. While some people may use them properly for cooking, others may stab innocent people or worse yet, hurt themselves!

I think anything dangerous that could be used improperly should be made prescription-only and illegal!

lol

If you think what I wrote was ridiculous, read the others' posts on this blog and apply the same notion. There are responsible adults who can drive vehicles, take drugs and monitor their finances. There are also those that are irresponsible people in all walks of life, regardless of whether a drug is available to them or not.

Keeping an anorexic or bulemic person away from Orlistat will not cure them of bulemia--they'll simply turn to another outlet. Wake up to reality, ditch your unrealistic, conservative views and get out of other peoples' lives.

See, from the point of manufacturer, it wants to sell Xenical in huge volume. Without Xenical becoming an OTC drug it cannot sell that way. The manufacturer might have invested a large amount of money to develop this drug.

But who cares for the MANUFACTURER if it does NOT CARE about the PATIENTS.

So, let's do PHYSICAL EXERCISES and keep on HEALTHY DIETING HABITS to get rid of Obesity. Who would need Xenical or any other drug if we can do that?

I think everybody is over reacting to this drug. First off My doctor put me on xenical because I was overweight. not obese I was 5'9 and 190. I lost 50 lbs in 6 months!! now I am 145 and Loving life. This drug helped me alot with my eating habits. It's all psycological. The first week the side effects hit and I was very disturbed. I took the meds and stopped eating fatty foods bc I was afraid of the side effects. The drug helped me change my eating habits to healthy foods. fruits veggies good fats and bc of the vitamins that I was loosing bc of the medication I started taking vitamins orally. I see nothing wrong with this diet pill. If you ask me, I would advise overweight people to try this. Don't take it if you are going to continue a unhealthy diet bc thats just a stupid idea, the side effects are no joke. let it help you become a healthy person. actually I stopped taking it recently and the healthy habits stuck! Thats my story. So go ahead ask your doctor about xenical and become a thinner happier person! :)

michele said:
I think everybody is over reacting to this drug. First off My doctor put me on xenical because I was overweight. not obese I was 5'9 and 190. I lost 50 lbs in 6 months!! now I am 145 and Loving life. This drug helped me alot with my eating habits. [...]So go ahead ask your doctor about xenical and become a thinner happier person! :)

See Michelle, it is exactly because people *no longer need to ask a doctor* that we are disturbed. Nothing wrong in someone who is actually overweight having it prescribed, but once it is available over the counter, you have people like some who posted here using it for weight maintenance or people who aren't overweight at all and want to be underweight. That is the disturbing part, not the fact that the drug exists.

xenical is a safe diet drug to use.ive been on it now sinse july of 2006,and ive lost 40 pounds! the only draw back is loose stool. but if you can put up with that and loose the weight your doing great! i started out with this drug becouse im allmost 100 pounds over weight.im looking forword to the drug company to put it over the counter becouse it works and it cousts so much right now. 250 a month,thats a lot!but the reports say they will realise it in a smaller dose and a cheeper price.and for sure i will go and buy it! so if you want to loose the weight,go and get this drug,it works! good luck!

I have recently been prescribed Xenical and have been taking it for the past 5 days. I don't eat a great deal of fatty food anyway and wonder if it is therefore suitable for me. Also I have had my gallbladder removed some years ago and I'm wondering if it is safe for someone without a gallbladder, because without one you won't be producing bile. This concern arose after last night after I'd eaten some fatty food. I spent all night in so much pain and could not sleep. The pain was equivalent to that I felt prior to having my gallbladder removed and caused extreme vomitting and raised temperature. I feel certain that this was caused by no longer having a gallbladder and taking xenical, although none of the literature for the medication mentions this as a contraindication for taking the medication. I have found info that does say that it shouldn't be taken by those with reduced bile production though. I assume that would mean all those of us who have had gallbladder removal. If this is so then surely GP's should be checking a patients records before prescribing this medication and it not being sold over the counter.

Lesley--your gallbladder doesn't produce bile; it stores bile that your liver makes. The problem you have is that you can't save up bile in your gallbladder to use on a heavy greasy meal. I'm guessing you have issues with eating lots of fat at one time, right? Almost all of my mom's relatives have had their gallbladders out and that seems to be a consequence. So it's probably not horrible to be taking Xenical, but if you are concerned about your bile production, talk to your GP to see if maybe you do have some sort of liver problem.