Orlistat Vs Xenical

Diet pill is one effective method people employ to lose weight. Orlistat and Xenical are two of the most popular diet pills, we would examine the two drugs, how they work, and if there is any difference between them.

What is Orlistat?

Orlistat the name of a weight loss drug, and the active ingredient in most weight loss tablets, as a result, Orlistat is the generic label for the medicine. Because Orlistat is a generic label used instead of a brand name it is usually cheaper than other drugs with the same active ingredient.

Normally, Orlistat is prescribed for people considered obese or overweight (having a BMI – Body Mass Index exceeding 30. Orlistat capsule contains 120 mg of the active ingredient (Orlistat). The drug works by preventing around a third (or 30 – 40 percent) of the fat you consume from being digested.

Orlistat is taken with each main meal of the day – you should take three tablets a day. The drug can be taken just before a meal, during the meal, or within one hour of each main meal.

Because Orlistat work by altering the normal way in which fat is digested by the body; if you skip a meal, there would be no need to take the capsule. Furthermore, if you eat a meal that containing zero fat, there would be no need to take a tablet either.

Normally, Orlistat should be taken for 3 months (12 weeks). After this period, if the patient doesn’t lose a minimum of 5 percent of his/her body weight, a doctor would recommend that you stop taking the drug. The amount of weight lost within this period is affected by the other factors including diet and exercise.

What is Xenical?

Xenical is a branded prescription treatment for people looking to lose weight. It contains the same amount of the active ingredient Orlistat (120 mg) as the unbranded drug. It works the same way as Orlistat does, preventing a third of dietary fat from being digested.

Xenical is better known as a weight loss tablet, and also the most expensive than Orlistat. Xenical has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and can only be prescribed for individuals with a BMI of 30 or more or a BMI of 27 along with a weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes or hypertension.

The drug can also be prescribed for people who have lost weight and want to prevent weight regain. Xenical is taken in the exactly the same way as Orlistat, one capsule before, after, or within one hour of a main meal (maximum of three times daily).

Are Orlistat and Xenical Different?

The only significant difference between Orlistat and Xenical is that Orlistat is the generic version of the medicine, while Xenical is branded. Because Xenical is branded, it can only be prescribed by a doctor, while the more generic Orlistat can be gotten over the counter.

Side-Effects of Both Drugs

Because the label is the only thing that separates Orlistat and Xenical, they share the same side-effects. The most common side-effects among people taking both drugs are; flatulence, sudden bowel movements, and oily stools.

While other people may also experience some abdominal pain, diarrhea, anxiety, and incontinence, they are usually mild. If you experience any prolonged or severe side-effect we recommend that you speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

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