"Orlistat" is the generic name for the prescription drug marketed as "Xenical." It is also sold in nonprescription strength, over the counter, as "Alli." The orlistat diet is one that includes the prescription medication together with a calorie-restricted diet and exercise plan to treat people who are morbidly obese and who have certain health risk factors.
How It Works
Orlistat works by reducing your intestine's ability to absorb fat, which in turn means your body receives less calories. Orlistat stops lipase, an enzyme that digests fat, from working. Rather than being absorbed into the body, the fat instead passes through it as waste via bowel movements.
Regimen
The orlistat diet requires you to take a pill no later than one hour after every meal you eat that contains fat. If your meal is fat-free, or if you forget to take the pill within an hour of eating the fatty meal, then you should skip the dose. If your doctor recommends vitamin supplements, take the supplement at least two hours before or after taking the orlistat.
Dietary Guidelines
The orlistat diet requires you to follow strict dietary guidelines. Your allowance of fat, protein and carbs should be spread evenly over the course of the day, and no meal should contain more than 30 percent fat, as high-fat diets are not only detrimental to weight loss, they also increase the risk of uncomfortable intestinal side effects. Instead, select 2 to 3 oz. of lean-cuts of meat, choose low-fat or fat-free milk and increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is also important to carefully monitor calorie intake and serving sizes to ensure proper portion control.
Side Effects
There are many side effects associated with the orlistat diet. Many of the early side effects are related to intestinal issues and are in fact a sign that the medication is working. They can also occur when you eat food that is high in fat, which is why doctors recommend eating meals that contain fat content of less than 30 percent. Side effects include oily or fatty stools and spotting that is orange or brown in color, diarrhea or loose stools and difficulty controlling them, increased bowel movements accompanied by nausea, vomiting, rectal and stomach pain. You may experience cold symptoms like a headache, stuffy nose or cough, along with a sore throat and problems with your teeth or gums. Some people experience a mild skin rash. Signs of an emergency include an allergic reaction such as hives, swelling or difficulty breathing, or pancreatitis marked by severe pain in your upper stomach that radiates to the back.
Identifying Candidates
You are an ideal candidate for the orlistat diet if your doctor concurs that you are obese and that you have life-threatening conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart disease. You should not take orlistat if you are under 18 years old or have a history of gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, liver disease or chronic malabsorption syndrome.
Potential Drug Interactions
It is important to tell your doctor if you take medication for thyroid disease, blood clotting or weight loss. If you are on these medications, you may require a special test to determine if it is safe to take orlistat, or your doctor may have to adjust the dose.
Weight Loss
The orlistat diet will likely lead to modest weight loss. According to the MayoClinic.com, you should expect to lose an additional 5 to 7 lbs. over a one-year period, compared to what you would lose with diet and exercise alone. At the nonprescription strength, you can expect to lose 3 to 5 lbs. in addition to what you would lose through diet and exercise alone.
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