XENICAL - CMI

(Roche)
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION

What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Xenical capsules. It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Xenical capsules against the benefits they
expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine.

You may need to read it again.
What Xenical is used for
Xenical contains the active ingredient orlistat.

Xenical is to treat people who are overweight or obese.

Xenical belongs to a group of medicines called lipase inhibitors.

These medicines work by targeting the absorption of dietary fat in your body rather than suppressing your appetite.

Dietary fats are large molecules that need to be broken down before they can be absorbed into the body. They are broken down by
enzymes called lipases. That is, lipases play an important role in the digestion of dietary fat. When taken with a meal, Xenical
interferes with the activity of these enzymes. This allows about 30% of the fat eaten in the meal to pass through the gut
undigested. Therefore, your body cannot store these excess calories as fatty tissue or use them as a source of energy. This helps
you to reduce your weight by burning up fat that you are already carrying, maintain your lower weight and minimise any weight
regain.

Losing even small amounts of weight and keeping it off produces additional health benefits for you, especially when you are at risk
for other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Xenical can also help to improve risk factors, such as high blood pressure,
high cholesterol and high blood sugar. If these are not treated, they could lead to other diseases such as hypertension and
diabetes.

Xenical should be taken in conjunction with a well-balanced calorie-controlled diet and other appropriate measures such as
exercise.

Your doctor, however, may have prescribed Xenical for another purpose.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Xenical has been prescribed for you.

Xenical is not addictive.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you take Xenical
When you must not take it

Do not take Xenical if:

1. you have had an allergic reaction to Xenical or any ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet

2. your doctor has diagnosed that your uptake of essential nutrients is lower than it should be

This is called chronic malabsorption syndrome. This may occur with conditions such as tropical sprue and idiopathic steatorrhoea.

3. you have certain pancreatic problems

4. you have had recent major surgery to your stomach or intestines

5. you have a blockage of your bile duct

6. if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering or the capsules do not look quite right

7. if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.

If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.

If you are not sure if you should be taking Xenical, talk to your doctor.

Do not give Xenical to children.

The safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if:

1. you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant

It is not known whether Xenical is harmful to an unborn baby when taken by a pregnant woman. It is not generally recommended
for use in pregnant women unless the benefits of treatment outweigh the risk to the unborn baby.

2. you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed

It is not known whether Xenical passes into breast milk. You should not breast-feed while taking Xenical.

3. you have vitamin deficiencies

4. you have kidney stones

5. you have any al