Xenical Questions

Hi, Maybe this isn't the right Forum to ask about Xenical, if so please direct me where to get some info.  My endo. prescribed this for me as a tool since I haven't had surgery yet, it is supposed to make any fat in your diet pass through your system quickly.. My Nutr. doesn't think it will make much of a difference since she said my diet is very low fat. I took it yesterday for the first time and nothing, and again this morning also nothing. I 'm supposed to take it 1 hour before eating and i did that.  Now I don't know if that is becuse my diet is low fat. although lst night I had broccoli salad that had reduced fat mayo and turkey meatballs, so there was some fat in there, according to the Daily Plate I had 30% fat yesterday in my diet.  I was afraid i'd get tjhe awful side effects from the Xenical.  Does anyone know does it take a while to work maybe not right away??  Thanks, Paulette

Hi Paulette, I took Xenical when it was a prescription drug. The over the counter drug is about half of the prescription per capsule. If you are eating a lot of fat you will have the bad side effects quickly. If your fat intake isn't high you will not have those same side effects. Hope this helps.

Hi Carol, this is the prescription strength, took it twice today and don't notice anything so I guess that is good. I did have a plain Hot Dog(no bun) at my daughters for lunch today, Thanks, Paulette

I took Xenical for a little bit. My insurace wouldn't cover it and it became too expensive. Nothing happening is a good thing...LOL!  Xenical prevents about 30% (I believe thats right) of the fat you eat from being absorbed, helping you take in less calories...thus loosing weight.  If you eat too much fat, you may suffer diahrea, and/or oily discharge. When you do have a bowel movement you will probably see "fat deposits" in your stool. Is that the "something" you're looking for perhaps?

Thanks Nik.. Yep my co-pay was $135 for 90 days worth. I wasn't sure if I'd notice an immediate response or if it took a couple days to register in my system. Had 1 dose yesterday and  2 doses today and again nothing so I guess that was good. I was prepared for  the discharge just in case. I did have a plain Hot Dog at my daughters for lunch today so I thought maybe something would happen. So if nothing happens and I don't lose any extra weight I don;t think I'll refill it in 90 days. Thanks again for the comment....Paulette

My experience with it was not fun.  It took all the fat and flushed it through my system.  Leaving me in the bathroom and with a sore bottom.  I took prescription strength.

Hi Melissa, Thanks for responding to my questions. when I read the info that came with the Xenical prescription, I said "WHOA!!" I am on the prescription strength (120mg) 3 times a day, but haven't noticed any side effects. I guess that is good. Hope it still works for me. My Nutritionist said that since my diet is very low fat (20%)  it may not work for me, I guess time will tell. I was worrried about having to run to the bathroom. My cholesterol had come way down with the change in diet since december but my triglycerides are still high which is why the endocrinologist. prescribed this medication. Thanks again, Paulette