ORLISTAT - ORAL (OR-lih-stat)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Xenical

USES: This medication is used with a reduced-calorie diet to help significantly overweight persons lose weight. It also helps to prevent regaining weight previously lost. Orlistat works by blocking some of the fat normally digested by the intestine.

HOW TO USE: Take this drug by mouth, generally three times daily during (or up to one hour after) each main meal that contains fat. Your daily intake of fat, protein and carbohydrate should be evenly spread over three main meals. If a meal is occasionally missed or contains no fat, skip that dose of the medication. Because this drug can interfere with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (e.g., A,D,E,K), a daily multivitamin supplement containing these nutrients is recommended. Take the multivitamin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after this drug (e.g., at bedtime). The effects of this drug may begin as soon as 1-2 days after treatment begins; noticeable weight loss will take longer.

SIDE EFFECTS: Fatty/oily stool, oily spotting, intestinal gas with discharge, bowel movement urgency, poor bowel control, or headaches may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Intestinal side effects (e.g., oily stool) may increase in intensity if you exceed your daily dietary fat allowance. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies, digestive disorders (malabsorption or cholestasis), low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), other metabolism problems (e.g., oxalate kidney stones, hyperoxaluria). This drug should not be used if you have anorexia nervosa or bulimia-type eating disorders. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication. The manufacturer does not recommend use of this drug during pregnancy. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you use, especially of: cyclosporine, "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin), other drugs used for weight loss. Cyclosporine should be taken at least 2 hours before or after orlistat to assure maximum absorption of the cyclosporine into your bloodstream. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Follow your doctor-approved nutritional, reduced-calorie diet containing about 30 percent calories from fat. Also, exercise is recommended; however, first consult your doctor or pharmacist.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature (77 degrees F, 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.

Notes
Your pharmacist has additional information about alprazolam written for health professionals that you may read

Disclaimer
This information is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. Be sure to contact your physician, pharmacist or other health care provider for more information about this medication.

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Reductil works like other weight loss supplements in its class by reducing your appetite. When your appetite is suppressed, following a low calorie diet is much easier. You consume fewer calories and ultimately have more control over the types of foods you eat. Studies show that more than half of all dieters who take Reductil lose 10 percent of their initial body fat in just 6 to 12 months! 

Safety: Reductil is very safe to take compared to other appetite suppressants on the market. In fact, the safety and effectiveness of Reductil has been tested in more than 12,000 times, making it one of the most thoroughly tested diet pills on the market! 

Side effects: In clinical studies the most common side effects with Reductil were increased blood pressure, increase in heart rate, headache, dry mouth, constipation, and sleep problems.

Warnings: Reductil might interact with certain medicines and prescription drugs. Symptoms of a drug interaction are anxiety, restlessness, confusion, weakness, tremor, poor coordination, fever, shivering, sweating, vomiting, fast heartbeat, and other symptoms. These reactions may be very dangerous and require immediate medical attention.

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SIBUTRAMINE - ORAL (sye-BYOU-truh-meen)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Meridia

USES: This medication is used to reduce excess body weight (obesity).

HOW TO USE: Take by mouth exactly as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The full effect on weight may require four to six weeks. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming. Also, if used for a longer period of time, do not suddenly stop using this drug without your doctor's approval. Over time, this drug may not work as well as it did at the beginning. Consult your doctor if weight increases.

SIDE EFFECTS: Dry mouth, drowsiness, constipation, difficulty sleeping, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly: dizziness, back pain, arthritis, increased appetite, stomach pain, mood/mental changes, persistent sore throat, sinus congestion. Unlikely but report promptly: chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, flushing or fever, increased thirst, arm or leg swelling, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, numbness, vision changes, one-sided weakness, sweating, painful menstruation. Very unlikely but report promptly: seizures, bruising, change in frequency/amount/color of urine, painful urination, yellowing skin or eyes. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your entire medical history, including: any allergies (especially drug allergies), liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, history of stroke or seizures, certain eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa), glaucoma (narrow angle), history of gallstones. Limit alcohol intake, as it may worsen certain side effects of this medication. Since this drug may cause dizziness or fatigue, use extreme caution if operating machinery or performing hazardous tasks (e.g., driving). It is recommended that women of child-bearing age should use effective birth control while taking this medication. This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this drug. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Use cautiously.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription drugs you may use, especially: other weight reducing agents (e.g., diethylpropion), drugs that can raise blood pressure such as decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine), cough suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan), antidepressants (e.g., nefazodone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine), lithium, psychiatric medications (e.g., MAO inhibitors such as selegiline, moclobemide, furazolidone, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, procarbazine, linezolid), drugs for migraines (e.g., dihydroergotamine, sumatriptan), tryptophan, certain narcotic pain relievers (e.g., meperidine, pentazocine, fentanyl), ketoconazole, erythromycin, high blood pressure medicine. Tell your doctor if you take drugs that cause drowsiness: medicine for sleep, sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines or tricyclics), anti- seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine). Antihistamines and decongestants may be found in many nonprescription drugs for cough and cold. Consult your pharmacist. MAO inhibitors (see above) and this drug should not be taken together. If an MAO inhibitor or this drug is stopped, wait 2 weeks before starting the other drug. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include fast heartbeat.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. This medication should be used in addition to a reduced calorie diet. Blood pressure and pulse may be measured and laboratory tests performed to monitor side effects.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Notes
Your pharmacist has additional information about alprazolam written for health professionals that you may read
Disclaimer
This information is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. Be sure to contact your physician, pharmacist or other health care provider for more information about this medication.