Where It Works

• Most medications attempt to suppress your appetite. Xenical works in the digestive system to prevent up to one-third of the fat you consume from being digested.
  
  

How It Works

• Enzymes, called lipases, break down fat and help you digest it. Xenical attaches to these lipases and prevents them from breaking down a portion of the fat you have eaten.
  
  

Candidates For Xenical

• To determine if Xenical is right for you, your doctor will check your BMI (body mass index) and review your eating and exercise habits with you.
  
  

Calculate Your BMI

• To check your BMI, multiply your weight times 703. Divide that number by your height, in inches. Divide that number by your height again to determine your BMI. A BMI of over 30 is considered significantly overweight.
  
  

History

• The FDA approved Xenical in April 1999. Results have shown people can lose between 10 and 15 percent of their original body weight. There are side effects, which should be discussed with your doctor.