Xenical Orlistat
Xenical works in the digestive tract
Xenical capsules contain the active ingredient Orlistat, which is a type of medicine known as a lipase inhibitor. Xenical Orlistat is used to aid weight loss in people who are obese.
Xenical Orlistat, a weight loss drug, is not absorbed into the bloodstream, but works locally in the stomach and the small intestine, where it prevents the action of two compounds found in the digestive juices. These compounds (known as enzymes) are called gastric and pancreatic lipases. They normally break down fats that we consume in our diet.
The fats we consume in our diet are made up of molecules that are too large to be absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream. These need to be broken down into smaller molecules during digestion, in order to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Gastric and pancreatic lipases are the compounds in the gut that carry out this function.
Xenical Orlistat, a weight loss drug, works by preventing gastric and pancreatic lipases from working. Therefore, Xenical Orlistat is taken at mealtimes to prevent fats in the food from being broken down and absorbed by the body. Consequently, the body cannot use the fat as a source of energy or convert it into fat tissue. Instead, it is excreted in the faeces, which in turn facilitates weight loss.
Xenical Orlistat is prescribed to aid weight loss in obese people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m² or more. It can also be prescribed to overweight people who have a BMI of 28kg/m² or more, if they also have additional risk factors for obesity-related diseases.
Xenical Orlistat should be used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet. Your doctor may ask you to stop treatment if you have been unable to lose at least 5% of your body weight after 12 weeks of treatment.
Weight loss drugs for obesity work in different ways. Depending on the medicine, they make you feel full sooner, limit your body's ability to absorb fat, or control binge eating.
Obesity treatment generally includes a combination of diet, exercise, behaviour modification, and sometimes, weight loss drugs. In some cases of severe obesity, gastrointestinal surgery may also be recommended to reduce the size of the stomach and limit how many calories are absorbed by the intestines. Your doctor may also suggest counseling. If you use food to cope with depression, loneliness, anxiety, or boredom, you need to learn new skills to deal with those feelings.
The method of obesity treatment chosen depends on your level of obesity, overall health condition, and motivation to lose weight. Sometimes, losing as little as 7-10% of your body weight may improve many of the problems linked to being overweight, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Although the formula for weight loss –– to burn more calories than you take in –– is not complicated, it is often hard to achieve and maintain. Health guidelines suggest that people should make lifestyle changes for at least 6 months before trying medicines or surgery. Your doctor may suggest medication and surgery earlier if you also have conditions such as coronary artery disease or Type 2 diabetes.
Obesity treatment will be most successful if you create a long-term plan with your doctor. A reasonable goal might be to begin making lifestyle changes by increasing physical activity and limiting your intake of calories.