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Xenical (Orlistat) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

 

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ADVERSE REACTIONS

Commonly Observed (based on first year and second year data - XENICAL 120 mg three times a day versus placebo):

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were the most commonly observed treatment-emergent adverse events associated with the use of XENICAL in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials and are primarily a manifestation of the mechanism of action. (Commonly observed is defined as an incidence of >/=5% and an incidence in the XENICAL 120 mg group that is at least twice that of placebo.)

Table 9 Commonly Observed Adverse Events
Adverse Event Year 1 Year 2
XENICAL *
% Patients (N=1913)
Placebo *
% Patients (N=1466)
XENICAL *
% Patients (N=613)
Placebo *
% Patients (N=524)
Oily Spotting 26.6 1.3 4.4 0.2
Flatus with Discharge 23.9 1.4 2.1 0.2
Fecal Urgency 22.1 6.7 2.8 1.7
Fatty/Oily Stool 20.0 2.9 5.5 0.6
Oily Evacuation 11.9 0.8 2.3 0.2
Increased Defecation 10.8 4.1 2.6 0.8
Fecal Incontinence 7.7 0.9 1.8 0.2
* Treatment designates XENICAL three times a day plus diet or placebo plus diet

These and other commonly observed adverse reactions were generally mild and transient, and they decreased during the second year of treatment. In general, the first occurrence of these events was within 3 months of starting therapy. Overall, approximately 50% of all episodes of GI adverse events associated with orlistat treatment lasted for less than 1 week, and a majority lasted for no more than 4 weeks. However, GI adverse events may occur in some individuals over a period of 6 months or longer.

DISCONTINUATION OF TREATMENT

In controlled clinical trials, 8.8% of patients treated with XENICAL discontinued treatment due to adverse events, compared with 5.0% of placebo-treated patients. For XENICAL, the most common adverse events resulting in discontinuation of treatment were gastrointestinal.

INCIDENCE IN CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIALS

The following table lists other treatment-emergent adverse events from seven multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials that occurred at a frequency of >/=2% among patients treated with XENICAL 120 mg three times a day and with an incidence that was greater than placebo during year 1 and year 2, regardless of relationship to study medication.

Table 10 Other Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events From Seven Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials
Year 1 Year 2
Body System/Adverse Event XENICAL *
% Patients (N=1913)
Placebo *
% Patients (N=1466)
XENICAL *
% Patients (N=613)
Placebo *
% Patients (N=524)
Gastrointestinal System
Abdominal Pain/Discomfort 25.5 21.4 - -
Nausea 8.1 7.3 3.6 2.7
Infectious Diarrhea 5.3 4.4 - -
Rectal Pain/Discomfort 5.2 4.0 3.3 1.9
Tooth Disorder 4.3 3.1 2.9 2.3
Gingival Disorder 4.1 2.9 2.0 1.5
Vomiting 3.8 3.5 - -
Respiratory System
Influenza 39.7 36.2 - -
Upper Respiratory Infection 38.1 32.8 26.1 25.8
Lower Respiratory Infection 7.8 6.6 - -
Ear, Nose & Throat Symptoms 2.0 1.6 - -
Musculoskeletal System
Back Pain 13.9 12.1 - -
Pain Lower Extremities - - 10.8 10.3
Arthritis 5.4 4.8 - -
Myalgia 4.2 3.3 - -
Joint Disorder 2.3 2.2 - -
Tendonitis - - 2.0 1.9
Central Nervous System
Headache 30.6 27.6 - -
Dizziness 5.2 5.0 - -
Body as a Whole
Fatigue 7.2 6.4 3.1 1.7
Sleep Disorder 3.9 3.3 - -
Skin & Appendages
Rash 4.3 4.0 - -
Dry Skin 2.1 1.4 - -
Reproductive, Female
Menstrual Irregularity 9.8 7.5 - -
Vaginitis 3.8 3.6 2.6 1.9
Urinary System
Urinary Tract Infection 7.5 7.3 5.9 4.8
Psychiatric Disorder
Psychiatric Anxiety 4.7 2.9 2.8 2.1
Depression - - 3.4 2.5
Hearing & Vestibular Disorders
Otitis 4.3 3.4 2.9 2.5
Cardiovascular Disorders
Pedal Edema - - 2.8 1.9
* Treatment designates XENICAL 120 mg three times a day plus diet or placebo plus diet
- None reported at a frequency >/=2% and greater than placebo

OTHER CLINICAL STUDIES OR POSTMARKETING SURVEILLANCE

Rare cases of hypersensitivity have been reported with the use of XENICAL. Signs and symptoms have included pruritus, rash, urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis.

Preliminary data from a XENICAL and cyclosporine drug interaction study indicate a reduction in cyclosporine plasma levels when XENICAL was coadministered with cyclosporine (see WARNINGS).

PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

In clinical trials with XENICAL in adolescent patients ages 12 to 16 years, the profile of adverse reactions was generally similar to that observed in adults.

Page last updated: 2006-10-14

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