Many people who wish to lose weight hope for an easy cure for their troubles. An entire diet pill industry is sustained by people’s natural desires to easily lose weight. Xenical 120 mg is a prescription weight loss aid that some people have touted as a wonder drug. However, keep in mind that when it comes to losing weight there really is no “magic pill.” While Xenical 120 mg works for some people, the medication cannot work without a dieter’s serious commitment to exercise and healthful eating.  The average dieter who takes Xenical for a year will lose an extra 5 to 7 pounds, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Orlistat is the active ingredient in Xenical; the drug literally helps some of the fat from the food you eat move out of your body through bowel movements. Some people have reported embarrassing or painful bowel-related accidents when using any type of orlistat. Xenical 120 mg should be taken only with meals consisting of 15 grams or less of fat. Also, people who already have some degree of malabsorption in their bodies due to weight loss surgery or the absence of a gallbladder should not take any type of orlistat.

Some people have alleged that Xenical and its over-the-counter formulation Alli caused them serious liver injuries. As of 2013, officials from the United States Food and Drug Administration have not banned orlistat. However, people taking any formulation of this weight loss drug should keep an eye out for unusually dark urine or yellowing skin. Such symptoms require urgent medical attention.