• Fatless indications
• Uses of Fatless in details
• Fatless description
• Fatless dosage
• Fatless interactions
• Fatless side effects
• Fatless contraindications

What is Fatless?

Fatless blocks some of the fat that you eat, keeping it from being absorbed by your body.

Fatless is used together with a reduced-calorie diet and weight maintenance to treat obesity in people with certain risk factors (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol or triglycerides).

Fatless may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

It is dangerous to purchase Fatless on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of "alli" purchased on the Internet have been found to contain sibutramine (Meridia), a prescription weight loss medication that can have dangerous side effects in certain people. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.

Fatless indications

Fatless is indicated for obesity management including weight loss and weight maintenance when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet. Fatless is also indicated to reduce the risk for weight regain after prior weight loss. Fatless is indicated for obese patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 in the presence of other risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia).

Table 1 illustrates body mass index (BMI) according to a variety of weights and heights. The BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. For example, a person who weighs 180 lbs and is 5'5" would have a BMI of 30.

How should I use Fatless?

Use Fatless as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Fatless. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Fatless by mouth with or up to 1 hour after each main meal that contains fat (up to 3 per day).
• If a meal is missed or contains no fat, do not take a dose of Fatless.
• You should take a multivitamin supplement containing vitamins A, D, E, and K to ensure good nutrition. The supplement should be taken at least 2 hours before or after you take Fatless, such as at bedtime.
• If you also take a thyroid hormone (eg, levothyroxine), do not take it within 4 hours before or after taking Fatless. Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• If you also take cyclosporine, do not take it within 3 hours before or after taking Fatless. Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• If you miss a dose of Fatless, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fatless.

Uses of Fatless in details

Use: Labeled Indications

Obesity management:

OTC: Weight loss in overweight adults when used along with a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet.

Rx: Obesity management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet; to reduce the risk for weight regain after prior weight loss.

Limitations of use: Fatless is indicated for obese patients with an initial body mass index of ≥30 kg/m in the presence of other risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia).

Fatless description

Fatless is a drug designed to treat obesity. Its primary function is preventing the absorption of fats from the human diet, thereby reducing caloric intake. Fatless works by inhibiting pancreatic lipase, an enzyme that breaks down triglycerides in the intestine. Without this enzyme, triglycerides from the diet are prevented from being hydrolyzed into absorbable free fatty acids and are excreted undigested.

Fatless dosage

Fatless Dosage

Generic name: Fatless 120mg

Dosage form: capsule

The information at Drugs.com is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Recommended Dosing

The recommended dose of Fatless is one 120-mg capsule three times a day with each main meal containing fat (during or up to 1 hour after the meal).

The patient should be on a nutritionally balanced, reduced-calorie diet that contains approximately 30% of calories from fat. The daily intake of fat, carbohydrate, and protein should be distributed over three main meals. If a meal is occasionally missed or contains no fat, the dose of Fatless can be omitted.

Because Fatless has been shown to reduce the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins and beta-carotene, patients should be counseled to take a multivitamin containing fat-soluble vitamins to ensure adequate nutrition. The vitamin supplement should be taken at least 2 hours before or after the administration of Fatless, such as at bedtime.

For patients receiving both Fatless and cyclosporine therapy, administer cyclosporine 3 hours after Fatless.

For patients receiving both Fatless and levothyroxine therapy, administer levothyroxine and Fatless at least 4 hours apart. Patients treated concomitantly with Fatless and levothyroxine should be monitored for changes in thyroid function.

Doses above 120 mg three times a day have not been shown to provide additional benefit.

Based on fecal fat measurements, the effect of Fatless is seen as soon as 24 to 48 hours after dosing. Upon discontinuation of therapy, fecal fat content usually returns to pretreatment levels within 48 to 72 hours.

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Consumer resources

• Fatless
• Fatless (Advanced Reading)

• Other brands: Alli

Professional resources

• Fatless (AHFS Monograph)
• Fatless (FDA)

Related treatment guides

• Obesity

Fatless interactions

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What other drugs will affect Fatless?

Amiodarone: Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Amiodarone. Monitor therapy

Anticonvulsants: Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Anticonvulsants. Exceptions: Fosphenytoin; PENTobarbital; Thiopental. Monitor therapy

Antiretroviral Agents: Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Antiretroviral Agents. Monitor therapy

CycloSPORINE (Systemic): Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of CycloSPORINE (Systemic). Management: Administer Fatless at least 3 hours before or after oral cyclosporine. Monitor for decreased serum concentrations of oral cyclosporine, even with the recommended dose separation. Consider therapy modification

Levothyroxine: Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Levothyroxine. Management: Separate administration of oral levothyroxine and Fatless by a least 4 hours. Monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Consider therapy modification

Multivitamins/Fluoride (with ADE): Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Fluoride (with ADE). Specifically, Fatless may impair absorption of fat-solube vitamins. Management: Administer oral fat soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, and/or K that are contained in many multivitamin products) at least 2 hours before or after the administration of Fatless. Consider therapy modification

Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron): Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron). Specifically, Fatless may impair the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Management: Administer oral fat soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, and/or K that are contained in many multivitamin products) at least 2 hours before or after the administration of Fatless. Consider therapy modification

Multivitamins/Minerals (with AE, No Iron): Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Minerals (with AE, No Iron). Specifically, Fatless may impair absorption of fat-solube vitamins. Management: Administer oral fat soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, and/or K that are contained in many multivitamin products) at least 2 hours before or after the administration of Fatless. Consider therapy modification

Paricalcitol: Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Paricalcitol. Management: Monitor clinical response to paricalcitol closely when used with Fatless. When this combination must be used, consider administering paricalcitol at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after the administration of Fatless Consider therapy modification

Propafenone: Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Propafenone. Monitor therapy

Sincalide: Drugs that Affect Gallbladder Function may diminish the therapeutic effect of Sincalide. Management: Consider discontinuing drugs that may affect gallbladder motility prior to the use of sincalide to stimulate gallbladder contraction. Consider therapy modification

Vitamin D Analogs: Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Vitamin D Analogs. More specifically, Fatless may impair absorption of Vitamin D Analogs. Management: Monitor clinical response (including serum calcium) to oral vitamin D analogs closely if used with Fatless. If this combination must be used, consider giving the vitamin D analog at least 2 hrs before or after Fatless. Exceptions: Calcipotriene; Calcitriol (Topical); Tacalcitol. Consider therapy modification

Vitamin K Antagonists (eg, warfarin): Fatless may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K Antagonists. Monitor therapy

Vitamins (Fat Soluble): Fatless may decrease the serum concentration of Vitamins (Fat Soluble). Management: Administer oral fat soluble vitamins at least 2 hours before or after the administration of Fatless. Similar precautions do not apply to parenterally administered fat soluble vitamins. Exceptions: Calcipotriene. Consider therapy modification

Fatless side effects

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What are the possible side effects of Fatless?

The majority of unwanted effects related to the use of Fatless result from its local action in your digestive system. These commonly include: urgent or increased need to open the bowels, flatulence (wind) with discharge, oily discharge and oily or fatty stools. The possibility of this happening may increase if Fatless is taken with a diet high in fat. In addition your daily intake of fat should be distributed evenly over three main meals because if Fatless is taken with a meal very high in fat, the possibility of gastrointestinal effects may increase. The more fat you eat, the more fat in your stools, and the more you will experience these dietary events. The frequency and onset of these dietary events varies from one person to another and depends on how much fat is consumed. They usually occur more frequently in the beginning of your program, and will gradually disappear as you develop new eating habits. Most importantly, you can control these dietary events when you control your fat intake. It is not Fatless alone, but the excess fat that you eat while taking Fatless that causes these events. Try not to exceed your daily fat allowance as calculated by your doctor or dietician.

Rare cases of allergic reactions have occurred with Fatless. The main symptoms are itching, rash, wheals (slightly elevated, itchy skin patches that are paler or redder than surrounding skin), difficulty in breathing, nausea, vomiting and feeling unwell. Very rarely increases in liver enzyme levels have been reported. If you are concerned about these or notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Fatless contraindications

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Fatless?

Do not take Fatless if you are pregnant. Weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy, even if you are overweight or obese.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to Fatless, if you are pregnant, or if you have gallbladder problems or chronic malabsorption syndrome (an inability to absorb food and nutrients properly).

Before taking Fatless, tell your doctor if you have an underactive thyroid, a history of gallstones or pancreatitis, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, an eating disorder, liver or kidney disease, or if you take other weight-loss medications (prescription or over-the-counter).

Do not give over-the-counter Fatless (alli) to a child younger than 18 years old. Prescription Fatless should not be used by anyone age 12 to 18 without the advice of a doctor.

Fatless should be used only by the person for whom it was prescribed. Never share Fatless with another person, especially someone who has a history of eating disorder. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Fatless is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Your daily intake of fat, protein, and carbohydrates should be evenly divided over all of your daily meals. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Avoid a diet that is high in fat. High-fat meals taken in combination with Fatless can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects on your stomach or intestines.

Active ingredient matches for Fatless:

Orlistat

References

1. DailyMed. "ORLISTAT: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
2. PubChem. "orlistat". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com... (accessed September 17, 2018).
3. DrugBank. "orlistat". http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01083 (accessed September 17, 2018).

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Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology