Xenical
® (
orlistat) is a weight loss medication licensed to help people lose weight and to prevent weight regain in people who have already lost weight. You cannot get over-the-counter (OTC) Xenical, but there is currently a non-prescription version of Xenical that is sold by the name
Alli™.
Xenical works by decreasing the absorption of fat from your diet. The stomach and intestine have enzymes, called lipases, that break down fat into smaller molecules which are then absorbed from your digestive tract. Xenical binds to lipases and inhibits their activity, helping to decrease fat absorption. The medication does not have any effect on carbohydrates or protein.
Studies have shown that after six months of taking Xenical while dieting, people lost an average of 12.4 pounds. After a year, those taking it while dieting had lost a total of 13.4 pounds, on average. Xenical has also been studied as an aid to help people who have already lost weight keep the weight off. In one study, 52 percent of people not taking it regained the weight they had lost, compared to just 26 percent of people who took the drug.
(Click Xenical to learn more, including the side effects associated with this weight loss product and the things you should discuss with your healthcare provider before using this medication.)
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