xenical What is the most important information I should know about Xenical? • Xenical may decrease your body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins. To ensure adequate nutrition, your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin that contains vitamins D, E, K, and beta-carotene. Take your vitamin supplement once a day, at least 2 hours before or after a dose of Xenical. • Do not take more of this medication than has been prescribed for you. Doses greater than 120 mg three times a day have not been shown to provide any additional weight-loss benefit. What is Xenical? • Xenical blocks some of the fat that you eat from being absorbed by your body. • Xenical is used in the management of obesity including weight loss and weight maintenance when used with a reduced-calorie diet. • Xenical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Xenical? • Do not take Xenical without first talking to your doctor if you have · a chronic malabsorption syndrome, or · gallbladder problems. • You may not be able to take Xenical if you have any of the conditions listed above. • Before taking Xenical, talk to your doctor if you · have a history of kidney stones, · have diabetes, · have anorexia or bulimia, · take any other weight-loss medicine, or · take cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral). • You may not be able to take Xenical, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. • Xenical is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not take Xenical without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. • It is not known whether Xenical passes into breast milk. Do not take Xenical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How should I take Xenical? • Take Xenical exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. • Take each dose with a full glass of water. • Xenical is usually taken with each main meal that contains fat. Xenical can be taken during meals or up to one hour after a meal. • Each time you take Xenical, your meal should contain no more than about 30% of calories from fat. Evenly divide your daily intake of fat, carbohydrates, and protein over three main meals a day. Talk to your doctor about following a healthy eating plan. • If you miss a meal, or if you have a meal without fat, you can skip your dose of Xenical for that meal also. • If Xenical is taken with any one meal that is very high in fat, there is an increased chance of digestive side effects. • Do not take more of this medication than has been prescribed for you. Doses greater than 120 mg three times a day have not been shown to provide an additional weight-loss benefit. • Xenical may decrease your body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins. To ensure adequate nutrition, your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin that contains vitamins D, E, K, and beta-carotene. Take your vitamin supplement once a day, at least 2 hours before or after a dose of Xenical. • Store Xenical at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? • Take the missed dose up to one hour after a meal. If more than one hour has passed since your last meal, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication. • If you miss a meal, or if you have a meal without fat, you can skip your dose of Xenical for that meal also. What happens if I overdose? • Seek emergency medical attention. • Symptoms of an Xenical overdose are not known. What should I avoid while taking Xenical?