• Instruct patient to take orlistat with meals as directed. If a meal is missed or contains no fat, orlistat dose can be omitted. Do not take more than recommended dose; does not improve benefit.

• Instruct patient to adhere to a reduced-calorie diet. Daily intake of fat should be distributed over three main meals. Meals should contain no more than 30% fat. Taking orlistat with a meal high in fat may increase the GI side effects.

• Advise patient that regular physical activity, approved by a health care professional, should be used in conjunction with orlistat and diet.

• Inform patient of common GI side effects (oily spotting, gas with discharge, urgent need to go to the bathroom, oily or fatty stools, an oily discharge, increased number of bowel movements, inability to control bowel movements). Oil in bowel movement may be clear or have orange or brown colorations. GI side effects usually occur in first weeks of treatment and are more increased following a meal high in fat. May lessen or disappear, or may continue for 6 mo or longer.

• Advise patient to notify health care professional if signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity (weakness, fatigue, fever, jaundice, brown urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, itching, loss of appetite) occur.

• Advise patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult with health care professional before taking other medications.

• Advise patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected.