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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to c
hange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking orlistat, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking the following:
- Warf
arin¡XOrlistat may decrease the absorption of vitamin K and may change your bleeding time
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Proper Use of This Medicine
Orlistat comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day with each main meal that contains fat. Each time you take orlistat, your meal should contain no more than about 30%
of calories from fat. Take orlistat during or up to 1 hour after a meal. If a meal is missed or does not have fat, you may skip your dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, a
nd ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Orlistat is in a class of drugs called lipase inhibitors. It works in your intestines, where it blocks some of the
fat you eat from being absorbed and disgested. This undigested fat is then removed in your bowel movements (BM).
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Special warnings about this medication
To help you get started on reducing the fat in your diet to about 30%, read the labels on all the foods you buy. While you are taking orlistat, you should avoid foods that have more than 30% fat. When
eating meat, poultry (chicken) or fish, eat only 2 or 3 ounces (about the size of a deck of cards). Choose lean cuts of meat and remove the skin from poultry. Fill up your meal plate with more grains
, fruits, and vegetables. Replace whole-milk products with nonfat or 1% milk and reduced- or low-fat dairy items. Cook with less fat. Use vegetable oil spray when cooking. Salad dressings; many baked
items; and prepackaged, processed, and fast foods are usually high in fat. Use the low- or non-fat versions of these foods and/or cut back on serving sizes.
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What is this medicine
Orlistat is used with a low-calorie diet to help you lose weight and to maintain your weight after weight loss. Orlistat is used in patients with a certain weight who may also have high blood pressure
, diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
- Orlistat is in a class of drugs called lipase inhibitors. It works in your intestines, where it blocks some of the fat you eat from being abs
orbed and disgested. This undigested fat is then removed in your bowel movements (BM).
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Before Using This Medicine
Allergies¡XTell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to orlistat. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, prese
vatives, or dyes
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What side effects can this medication cause?
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor as
soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- Bodyache; chills; cough; fever; headache; nasal congestion; runny nose; sneezing; sore throat
- Tightness in
chest; tooth or gum problems ; troubled breathing; wheezing
- Bloody or cloudy urine; change in hearing ; contagious diarrhea; difficult or painful urination; earache; frequent ur
ge to urinate; pain in ear
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