xenical

[alijangra]

My sister is considering going to her gp to ask for a prescription for xenical (orlistat).

Is anybody on this medication? How readily do gps prescribe it?

She knows about the side efffects already, just wants to know if the gp will be reluctant to give it to her. She fits the criteria BMI > 30.

[Jules001]

I don't know how readily the GP will prescribe it, he may want to refer your sister to a Dietician first. I have PCO's and have been attending the hospital for it, but now they say there is very little they can do apart from helping me to lose weight. I have been seeing a dietician at the hospital and she keeps suggesting that I go on these tablets, but at the moment I am holding off, i don't like taking any tablets if I can help it and would rather sleep a headache off than take a paracetamol, so would much rather try losing weight without the nasty side effects. I suppose if your sister is willing to accept the side effects, there is nothing to lose by making an appointment with the GP to find out whether he will prescribe them.

[alijangra]

Thanks for your answer Jules. Ihave dissuaded her from using any of the appetite suppressing pills as they can have really bad side effects. I guess with xenical the degree of side effects depends on your ability to cut down the fat levels in your diet. She is going to contact her gp on Monday as she feels this is the right path for her. Im just glad I dont stay at home anymore, dont fancy sharing a bathroom with her lol!!

[hazel78]

I have just 3 words for her ....DONT TAKE THEM....

when any fats are ingested whilst taking them,they are purged rapidly from the body,in the form of a foul smelling orange slime,which can not always be controlled.

[bellasasha]

my dad is on it, i think you need to have at least 5-6 stone to lose and for a month before he gives you it, you need to prove you can lose some weight by yourself....dad has lost 3 stone in 2 months and swears by it.

[bellasasha]

hazel, its fine as long as you dont eat anything high in fat!! you are allowed 9mg of fat a day, if you go over that then the body needs to release it!! its not plesant but totally worth it especially for your health, its not a fad diet, its just teaching you to eat sensibly, and you have to!!

[alijangra]

Thanks for your input Hazel but I am a nurse and have come across many patients on this medication. Side effects are dependant on your own ability to limit your fat intake. My sister feels that the possibility of such unpleasant side effects will help her to limit her fat intake. She has an appointment with her GP today to discuss things.