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What Effects Can You Expect from Using Orlistat?
It’s crucial for individuals to understand that there is no such thing as a “miracle weight loss drug.” While the use of Orlistat alongside a calorie-restrictive diet and exercise program will accelerate weight loss in obese or overweight individuals, they need to set realistic expectations with the process. Orlistat effects vary from person to person, and probably because every individual has a unique metabolism and body type. However, you can expect the rate of fat loss to be moderate, and using the drug might help you shed a few pounds more per week than with diet and exercise strategies alone. However, to expect a rapid fat loss is unrealistic. The chances are it took the patient some years, maybe even decades, to reach their current state of obesity. Therefore, expecting the fat to melt away overnight, or even in a few months, will leave the user feeling demotivated and disappointed with their results. Physicians define clinically meaningful weight loss as a reduction in a person’s body weight, of 5% or more over a year. Studies show that more than 40% of Orlistat users achieve this goal, provided they follow the professional advice of a doctor and nutritionist. The study also shows that those individuals who were eating a calorie-restricted diet, along with obtaining regular exercise, and the use of Orlistat, lost an average of 5.7-lbs more than the control group who were not using Orlistat. (5,6)
(1) What Are the Benefits of Using Orlistat? There is a significant benefit to using Orlistat as part of a well-structured and monitored weight loss program. The drug is effective at preventing the body from absorbing fat, thereby dramatically reducing a significant portion of the total calories ingested by the patient. 1
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However, while Orlistat is a useful addition to a weight loss diet, and produces notable effects, we can’t understate that people should not use this drug as a crutch. Those individuals relying on a prescription or supplement as the cornerstone of their weight loss program will experience lackluster results. Some individuals make no changes to their diet or exercise levels and, instead, rely on Orlistat to do the work. However, these individuals will find themselves disappointed with their weight loss results. Orlistat benefits a weight loss program that has a defined structure and clear goals. It’s highly unlikely the patient will have the knowledge or motivation to complete their body transformation alone. Therefore, hiring a nutritionist and trainer, and following a set diet and exercise program is a must for anyone undertaking a weight loss program. Most overweight and obese individuals find that they experience a significant weight loss in the first two weeks of starting to eat healthily and exercise – and that’s before they introduce any supplements or drugs like Orlistat. However, some individuals may struggle to lose all of the weight even when following a proper diet and exercise program. Others may find that their progress plateaus quickly using natural methods. These individuals may find that Orlistat benefits them in this situation, allowing them to experience a steady weight loss throughout their body transformation.
(2) What Are the Risks of Using Orlistat? Individuals considering using Orlistat should take some time to review the list of Orlistat side effects associated with the use of the weight loss drug. Orlistat is a potent medication designed for use alongside a calorie-restrictive diet planned for the obese individual by a qualified nutritionist. The OTC version of the medication may be readily available for purchase without a prescription, but no one should use Orlistat without speaking to their physician beforehand. In clinical trials involving the administration of Xenical to patients, 27% developed oily stains in their undergarments, 24% of users experienced gas followed by involuntary fecal discharge, 22% of users experienced the onset of fecal urgency, 11% showed an increase in their number of bowel movements, and 8% experienced fecal incontinence. For most users, diarrhea is also a common side effect of using the medication, especially when first starting the use of the weightloss drug. Allergic reactions to the medication are rare, and some of the typical side effects users experience in the first few weeks of using Orlistat include the following. 2
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Oily stains or spots in your underwear Fatty or oily stools Brown or orange-colored oils in stool Gas accompanied with an oily discharge Loose stool, increase in fecal urgency, and the inability of the user to control their bowel movements
An increase in the frequency of bowel movements Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal pain Fatigue and weakness, clay-colored stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, itching, or the appearance of jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes or the skin)
Other less-common issues patients experience when they take Orlistat include the following. Issues with gums and teeth The development of cold-like symptoms The development of flu-like symptoms Headache and back pain Mild to extreme skin rashes
Users must be aware that this is not a comprehensive list of side effects that may occur when using Orlistat. If you experience a side effect or an adverse reaction to the medication, report your experience to the FDA on 1-800-FDA-1088.
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