Xenical is a weight loss drug that acts by blocking part of the fat usually absorbed by the body. It can be used to: treat obese people with serious risks factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes or trigly cerides; for weight maintenance; or along with a diet aiming to reduce calories. Xenical not only hinders the absorption of fat but it also blocks of the beta-carotene as well as the fat-soluble vitamins contained in food. Thus, it is recommended to compensate for these by taking multivitamin tablets that contain beta-carotene and vitamins A, E, D, K daily, 2 hours before or after taking Xenical.After you start taking Xenical, you will start noticing the loss of weight within 2 weeks, and it should continue for half a year or more, depending on how long you plan to take the drug. However, note that it is not recommended to take Xenical for more than 24 months, as the effects of absorbing the drug for such a long period are still unknown.

While Xenical does reduce the absorption of fat, try to limit your fat intake as minor side effects such as abdominal pain and diarrhea may worsen if you continue to have high-fat meals. Your doctor should also test if your overweight issue is not due to hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland) as Xenical will increase the probability of developing kidney stones in such cases. Your dose may need to be adjusted if you diabetes as weight loss will affect your sugar level. Xenical is not recommended children younger than 12 years old, for pregnant woman and mothers that are breastfeeding.

If you have diabetes, weight-loss is likely to reduce your blood sugar levels. If you're taking an oral diabetes medication or insulin, your dose may have to be reduced. Note that the safety and efficacy of Xenical in children younger than 12 years old have not been established.