Xenical Over the Counter: Big Mistake?
Xenical (orlistat) may become the first non-prescription weight loss drug. This follows the pattern in other some countries. On the MSNBC site, there is an overwhelming vote of confidence for the drug. Of over 132000 votes 59% say they will try it because "...I can't lose those last 10 pounds." Of course these results are very skewed as the people reading the article are people with an interest in the drug.
Even so, these results are concerning. I strongly believe that a drug such as this must be prescribed by a physician. This move will simply enforce the quick-fix mentality. Xenical is already guilty of a series of aggravating ads in Canada - attempting to associate glamour with the drug.
And then there are the side effects:
When taken with meals, orlistat blocks the absorption of about one-quarter of any fat consumed. That fat — the equivalent of about 150 to 200 calories — is passed out of the body in stools, which can be loose or oily as a result. Other side effects include gas, incontinence and oily spotting. About half of patients in trials experienced such side effects, the company said.
Xenical blocks fat. That's all.
Of course, you could just opt to eat less fat.
UPDATE Jun 2007 : OTC Xenical has been renamed Alli (pronounced all-eye). The pill can now be purchased on-line without a prescription.
and if this pill is not right for me than what is ! .
ReplyHi,
I started taking Zenical about (2) weeks ago 07/28/08. I weighed in @ 310 lbs. Interesting enough after 2 weeks I went back to my doctor and I now weigh 312. I was so upset and I wondered what I was doing wrong. I was having regular bowel movements sometimes up to 5 a day! Thing was I did not change my diet or exercised. I felt good most days and in my mind I guess I thought I was losing weight "NOT". So, I was upset...
But now that I know that I have to change my diet and exerice more often than I do... these little changes will help in the long run. The bowel movements are amazing... I have had 2 or 3 accidents as a result of Zenical. Think you're passing gas and oops you poo'd on URself-: Not a pretty thing. So I try not to take it while I am @ work.
I love oatmeal.. and this was my breakfast every morning. I have to be honest here, I'd have a large bowl of oatmeal, wheat toast and a sausage patty.. The sausage patty was a NO NO and I could do away with the bread. I guess I was thinking that I could continue to eat and I would be O.K. This was a myth. For me, I KNOW that changing my diet will be my saving grace and talking walks 3 to 4 times a week will help.
I am going to continue on this. Like it has been stated.. Zenical is not a weight loss drug per say, it helps to remove fatty intake...thus reduces your caloric intake. However, in order to lose lbs you have to watch your diet.. Lay off so much bread, butter and sugar and watch you lifestyle.
I can do this and I will.
Thanks everyone for your diaries b/c now I know U can do this and changing what I put into my body is the 1st step to changing my life.
Replyhi i've read alll this and i just want ppl to know that i became seriously overweight after my son aand i was 290lbs i started xenical and have been taking it for about six months and i have lost at total of 60lbs i lost 18 in my first month of using it just find the time to do some exercise and eat right ... anyone who has a weight prob should try it !!! i never had an accident with the orange stuff just some loud farts when i try to eat hardly anything at all try it guys just keep away from fry foood and cheese!
Replyive been taking xenical for over a week and already lost over 5lb with a low fat diet and exercise
ReplyI am on xenical and have been so worried about the side effects I have only used 2 days worth over 7 days the last pill i took yesterday morning and this morning i have had to throw away my knickers!!
ReplyHi
Tanya
The only reason that happened to you is because u ate to much fat, i stick to no more than 13grams of fat per meal and only eat three times a day. i have been on it since april last year and it has only happened to me twice and that was because i was naughty and fatty foods !! Just give another go and dont be scared !! i have lost 3 stone 1 lb !
Reply19/12/08
I have tried to lose weight for the last three years since i gained 30lbs for no reason over a two month period. I have a very healthy diet and do an hour fast walking everyday day so the doctors and Dietitian came to a dead end after doing numerous tests on me for different illnesses so as a last resort they have put me on Xenical for a 6month period to see if it will help me lose some weight. I am on Xenical three weeks now and i have lost 6lbs so far! I was terrified to take the tablets at the start as i read so many blogs about the "accidents" people were having but i have had no side effects what so ever only that the wind i pass is abit more smelly. I reckon alot of the side effects people are getting is from not watching their fat intake! I was told absolutley nothing about these tablets and havent even seen a Dietitian about the tablets yet so i had to do my own research so when i went onto the Xenical.com site i seen that im only suppose to be on a 30% Fat Diet and by sticking to this and having a good diet anyway i reckon thats why ive no bad side effects. Im hoping the tablets will keep dropping my weight by 2lbs each week so byt he time my 6 months are up ill be down about 3 stone, Fingers x. I'll let you all know how im getting on over the next few months. Ps. If you need a drink ... Stick to the Weight Watchers Wine and mix it with diet 7up.!!!!
Replyafter reading all the posts here, I decided to do some more "researching" because I too was curious about the side affects of the long term use of this medication. Below you will find a link to an article that was on MSNBC. I found the last few sentences to be "alarming" & am now hesitant to use this drug, but I'm not yet ruling it out. I hope this article helps.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17032249/
ReplyMy name is Vivian Brown and i would like to show you my personal experience with Xenical.
I am 28 years old. Have been on Xanax for 2 weeks now. Needed to lose 20 lbs. I'm 5 foot 7 and about 165 pounds...would like to get around 145 or less. I lost 7 pounds within 7 days of starting. Worked very good for me since I'm only overweight because I eat fatty foods. If you are dieting and exercising and eating all of the right foods it may not do much, but if you are like me and have a decent metabolism but do not eat the right foods it seems to work wonders. Also I'm only taking half of the normally prescribed dose.
I have experienced some of these side effects -
Orange Oily Stool, very minor stomach cramping, sudden urge to use the bathroom after eating food with heavy amount of fat.
I hope this information will be useful to others,
ReplyVivian Brown
hi, how did u loose so much so quick wat were you eating ? if you dont mind xx
ReplyMy dr. prescribed this to me and I just filled the prescription. The instructions on the bottle says to take 1 pill at bedtime! After reading here, and reading the instructions on the pamphlet supplied by the pharmacy it seems like the drug should be taken after each meal that contains fat. Does anyone know why would my doctor prescribe it to take it once at bedtime? I haven't taken the drug yet.
ReplyI was recently prescribed xenical. I'm 20 and I'm abit overweight, don't get me wrong I wasn't looking for a "quick fix" but I guess I could explain that my weight is an issue that isn't caused by binging or overeating.
I've took xenical for a week and a half and today I had to flush them down the toliet. Honestly what was my doctor thinking!? I had taken reductil before and that had bad side effects on my mentality. At 20 years of age, Xenical may have been responsible for this sudden start up of piles. I don't mean to be graphic so forgive me. But seriously, it's not freakin' worth it. And my doctor is an idiot. Don't buy them at all, they will hurt you inside.
ReplyCould anyone pls advice me on how to use Xenical. I haven't tried it yet but i wanted to. I am 58 kg. and got excess fat on the belly and i would like to get rid of those excess fats. as I read the comments about taking Xenical most people who used it were overweight to 10kg. or more but I am just 3 kls over the standard weight. pls email me at adrenee_pagaduan@yahoo.com I will be glad to receive suggestions from you guys. thanks a lot.
ReplyHi there, let me share my story to you guyz. I took Xenical(orlistat) 120 mg. 1 tablet 3x daily every meals for 4 months together with a healthy diet that includes none oily foods, without even exercising and surprisingly lost 30 lbs...this drug is great, effective and safe. But before starting on this therapy, make sure you are committed on losing weight, eating healthy foods and exercise at least 3-4x a week and see the results in just a month..-tnx
ReplyI was prescribed Xenical by my doctor but when I found out it was close to 300.00 I decided against it.The pharmacist advised me to try Alli since this is the OTC form of Xenical. I have been taking Alli for about 2 and 1/2 weeks and have lost 7 lbs so far.If nothing else I have found that I am eating healthier and walking a couple miles a day helps too.As far as side effects I haven't had much.Maybe a little bit gassy but not all the time and I have yet to have any oily spots in my panties, however, a friend of mine tried it and she said she thought she might poop herself to death so I guess it just depends on you.Even my doctor told me that Xenical wouldn't work if you were going to just eat salads so fat intake is necessary the trick is to not overdo it.I can't take any of the other things out there because I have heart problems so this product (Alli) is working for me and if Xenical is too strong maybe you could try Alli instead.
ReplyHas this drug ever made any one late with their period? does it have that effect? I spotted the day I was due and now there is nothing. Not to be gross but I have to know because if not, might have a bun in the oven!
ReplyRebecca- you are a 'prescriber' and a 'nurse practitioner' and are 'trained in herbology'.! Interesting. Really?!
Is that in the same way you are 'trained to diagnose' people.
People please stay away from these nurse quacktitioner jokers- they are seriously dangerous- surely your health is worth an actual consulation with someone who actually has some knowledge- ie. a doctor??!
Reply