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Any successful weight-loss regimen includes a combination of dietary therapy,
behavioral therapy and increased physical activity.
Pharmacotherapy may be appropriate for patients with a BMI of 27 or
greater who also have obesity-related comorbidities and for those with a
BMI of 30 or greater and no obesity-related comorbidities.41
Several of your at-risk patients may be ready for XENICAL; others may not.
After you have evaluated their risks, weight histories and attitudes,
you can determine for which patients XENICAL is most appropriate.
Here are some basic guidelines for maximizing patient success with XENICAL.
Once appropriate patients are selected, you should:
- Help them set realistic goals, such as a slow, steady weight loss, followed by careful maintenance.
- Recommend a well-balanced, mildly reduced-calorie diet, with about 30% of calories from fat at each
main meal.
- Instruct them to take one XENICAL 120-mg capsule by mouth with liquid 3 times a day,
once with each main meal containing fat.
- Also instruct them to take a multivitamin supplement that contains vitamins D, E and K,
and beta-carotene once a day at least 2 hours before or after taking XENICAL, such as at bedtime,
because XENICAL interferes with the body's absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins.
- Inform them that they will likely experience some
changes in bowel habits when they start taking XENICAL.
- Provide them with a Patient Starter Kit and suggest strongly that they enroll in XENICare®,
a free customized patient support program. Patients should call 1-800-XENICare (1-800-936-4227) for details,
or go to www.XENICare.com.
- Instruct them to read the important patient information affixed to the XENICAL
bottle and offered in the Patient Support Kit.
Determining Adjunct Therapies
What Your Patients Should Know about XENICAL
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