Xenical vs. Contrave

Xenical(orlistat) andContrave(naltrexoneHCl andbupropionHCl) Extended-release are used as adjuncts to diet and exercise to help withweight loss.

Contrave is usedinadults with an initialbody mass index(BMI) of: 30 kg/m2 greater (obese) or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidcondition(e.g.,hypertension,type 2 diabetesmellitus, ordyslipidemia).

Xenical and Contrave belong to different drug classes. Xenical is agastrointestinallipase inhibitor and Contrave is a combination of anopioidantagonistand anantidepressant.

Side effectsof Xenical and Contrave that are similar includestomach/abdominal pain,nausea, vomiting,diarrhea,headache, andskinrash.

Side effects of Xenical that are different from Contrave include oily spotting on underwear,flatulence, urgentbowelmovements, fatty or oily stools, increased number of bowel movements, inability tocontrolbowel movements, gas withdischarge, loose stools,rectalpain, weakness, darkurine, clay-colored stools,itching, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), problems with your teeth or gums, cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing,cough,fever,chills,sore throat,flusymptoms), andback pain.

Side effects of Contrave that are different from Xenical includeconstipation,dizziness, trouble sleeping (insomnia),dry mouth,anxiety,hot flashes,fatigue,tremor, flu symptoms,ringing in the ears,urinary tract infection(UTI),high blood pressure, increasedsweating, changes in味道,musclestrain,palpitations, problems withattention,lightheadedness, andfainting.

Both Xenical and Contrave may interact withHIV/AIDSmedications andbloodthinners.

Xenical may also interact withcyclosporine,thyroidmedicines,amiodarone,insulinororaldiabetesmedicines,seizuremedicines (especially if your seizures get worse while taking orlistat), and vitamin or minerals supplements that containbeta-caroteneorvitamin E.

Contrave may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), opioid-containing medicines (such as cough and cold remedies, antidiarrheal drugs, and opioid analgesics),antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics,theophylline, corticosteroids, levodopa,amantadine, andalcohol.

Side effects of Xenical include:

• oily spotting on underwear
• flatulence
• urgent bowel movements
• fatty or oily stools
• increased number of bowel movements
• inability to control bowel movements
• gas with discharge
• loose stools
• stomach pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• rectal pain
• weakness,
• dark urine
• clay-colored stools
• itching
• loss of appetite
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• problems with your teeth or gums
• cold symptoms (stuffynose, sneezing, cough, fever, chills,sorethroat, flu symptoms)
• headache
• back pain, or
• skin rash.

Tell yourdoctorif you experience serious side effects of Xenical including blood in your urine, urinating less than usual or not at all, drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, or fastheart rate.

Common side effects of Contrave include:

• nausea,
• headache,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• drymouth,
• anxiety,
• hot flashes,
• fatigue,
• tremor,
• abdominalpain,
• flu symptoms,
• ringing in the ears,
• urinary tractinfection,
• highblood pressure,
• increased sweating,
• changes in taste,
• rash,
• muscle strain,
• palpitations,
• problems with attention,
• lightheadedness, or
• fainting.

Xenical (orlistat) is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor used to help with weight loss by preventing the digestion andabsorptionoffatinfoodby inhibiting theenzymelipase in theintestine.

Contrave (naltrexone HCl and bupropion HCl) Extended-release is a combination of an opioid antagonist and an antidepressant used as an adjunct to a reduced-caloriediet and increased physical activity forchronicweight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of: 30 kg/m² or greater (obese) or 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia).

Xenical may reduce the absorption and blood levels of cyclosporine when both drugs are administered together. Xenical may also causevitamin Klevels to decline, and patients takingwarfarin(Coumadin) must have their blood clotting monitored closely.

Contrave may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), opioid-containing medicines (such as cough and cold remedies, antidiarrheal drugs, and opioid analgesics), antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, ticlopidine,clopidogrel, ritonavir, lopinavir, efavirenz, theophylline, corticosteroids, levodopa, amantadine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Contrave is not recommended for use duringpregnancy.

Xenical is taken as oral capsules.

Contrave is started at a low dose and gradually increased. A total daily dosage of two Contrave 8mg/90 mg tablets twice daily (32 mg/360 mg) is reached at the start of Week 4.