Orlistat Dosage
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 2, 2024.
Applies to the following strengths: 120 mg; 60 mg
Usual Adult Dose for:
Usual Pediatric Dose for:
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Obesity
Prescription strength (Xenical[R]):
120 mg orally 3 times a day with each main meal containing fat
Non-prescription (over-the-counter; Alli[R]):
60 mg orally 3 times a day with each main meal containing fat
Comments:
- This drug should be taken during, or up to 1 hour after meals; if a meal is skipped or contains no fat, the dose may be skipped.
- Doses above 120 mg 3 times a day have not been shown to provide additional benefit.
- During therapy, patients should receive a nutritionally balanced, reduced-calorie diet containing approximately 30% of calories from fat.
Uses: For the management of weight loss and weight maintenance when used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Obesity
12 years or older:
Prescription strength (Xenical[R]):
120 mg orally 3 times a day with each main meal containing fat
Comments:
- This drug should be taken during, or up to 1 hour after meals; if a meal is skipped or contains no fat, the dose may be skipped.
- Doses above 120 mg 3 times a day have not been shown to provide additional benefit; the over the counter orlistat product (Alli[R]) is not labeled for pediatric use.
- During therapy, patients should receive a nutritionally balanced, reduced-calorie diet containing approximately 30% of calories from fat.
Uses: For the management of weight loss and weight maintenance when used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet.
Renal Dose Adjustments
No adjustment recommended
Liver Dose Adjustments
No adjustment recommended
Dose Adjustments
Patients with diabetes mellitus:
- Dose adjustment of diabetes medications may be necessary; monitor glycemic control closely
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- Pregnancy
- Chronic malabsorption syndrome
- Cholestasis
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any product excipients
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- Take orally with each main meal containing fat; may take up to 1 hour after a meal
- Dose may be skipped if a meal is missed or meal does not contain fat
- A vitamin supplement that contains fat-soluble vitamins should be taken while taking this drug
Multivitamin: Take at least 2 hours before or after this drug (e.g. bedtime)
Cyclosporine: Take 3 hours before or after this drug; measure cyclosporine levels
Levothyroxine: Take at least 4 hours before or after this drug; monitor thyroid function
General:
- This drug is intended for obese patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater OR 27 kg/m2 in the presence of other risk factors such as hypertension diabetes, or dyslipidemia. The manufacturer's package insert can be consulted for BMI charts.
- Substantial weigh loss can increase the risk of cholelithiasis.
Monitoring:
- Monitor for signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity; obtain liver function tests if these develop
- Monitor renal function in patients at risk for renal impairment
Patient advice:
- Patients should be instructed to adhere to a nutritionally balanced low-calorie diet that derives approximately 30% or less of its calories from fat; consuming higher amounts of fat may make the common side effects worse.
- Patients should understand that they should not take this drug at the same time as their multivitamin; other drugs may need to be taken separately as well and they should speak with their healthcare professional regarding all concomitant medication use.
- Patients should be instructed to immediately report signs and symptoms of hepatic dysfunction (e.g., itching, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, or loss of appetite) or severe, continuous abdominal pain.
- Patients should be instructed to report changes in glycemic control or seizure activity.
- Patients should not take this drug if they are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have chronic malabsorption syndrome.
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