Don't know if you've already found it, but Roche still has their Xenical support site up (written for the prescription product).

About the "not effective after six months" what I remember hearing is that it's not RECOMMENDED to take it for longer than six months - and that was said by doctors and other authorities who were being interviewed by CNN or the Today show. And even if it IS an OTC product, I'd still discuss it with my doctor, if I were considering using it. I've skimmed over the Complete Product Information and don't see anything about a six-month effectiveness limit, but I imagine that at some point, one could become immune to the effects. There don't seem to be a whole lot of fatal side effects either, unless you count the people around you getting hit by a fatal whiff of gas.

I do see that the PI mentions 1 year, 2 year and 4 year studies of Xenical...interesting reading to say the least!

I think I will stay away

This really sounds like an awful idea. I heard about this as well. Like someone else up thread said, though I think it bears repeating, the potential for abuse of this product seems far too great to allow this to be an otc med without the supervision of a doctor!

Yikes, I really hope this is not made otc.

I'm truly concerned to hear that Xenical may be considered OTC. There are some serious contraindications to taking the medication, and some long term deleterious effects (ie loss of absorption of fat soluble vitamins). Which is fine as long as the situation is being monitored appropriately by an MD. It's kind of like eating disordered people taking large doses of OTC laxatives. I've seen some serious electrolyte imalances as a result.

It does seem as though this really is going forward, judging from news reports.

Boarderchick, I'm glad you brought up the fat soluble vitamin problem. I've wondered about that with people taking Xenical ... and also with these "fake" fats like Olestra or whatever it is they've done to Enova.

Fat is actually a necessary macronutrient that nature intended us to eat (in my opinion). There are good fats and bad fats, I guess, but it seems crazy to me to, as you say, do something to the body that amounts to taking mega doses of laxatives in order to remove fat from the diet.

If people don't want to eat so much fat, why don't they just not eat it?

Xen is insane in my opinion. I already worry about my bowl movements enough at times and this would send me into ****. As for meridia (is that spelled right?) I hear good things but the one neg. I didn't like was the possibility of irregular heart beat, this is insane too. I looked up adipex and it seems good except it is amphed. based. The safer one due to how long it's been on the market and side effects seems to be the adipex. If anyone has anything to add about the side effect on meridia that I mentioned, please do so, as if it only always applies to those with some heart histroy in the family then I might change my mind on the safer one.

I took xenical 4 months ago I lost 12 pounds I went off it for 2 months and 2 weeks ago I started again.. I have the bad side effects but I deal with it. I have been eating better and when I dont I just dont take a pill. I also take green tea supplements instead of drinking it I do 30 minutes on the treadmill and then use my ablunge 3xs a week I do 3 sets of 12 I started doing tebo last week I did that 4xs (real hard) Im looking to lose 10-15 pounds My scales never seem to move and its gets very upsetting. I have a Drs. appointment next week I hope I lose something or at least stay the same as I did the last time I was weighed. Im going on vacation in August and I want to lose weight .. I did measure today and I lose .o5 inch on my thighs and .05 inch on my hips possibly from running on th etreadmill I really lik e teabo once i get started but I dont ever have motovation to do anything so its hard for me to get started Im 5'4 142 36-38-36.5 thighs are 20.5 I want to lose 2 inches on my waist... any help would be great

Kim

I just thought I would post here since I am taking xenical. I'm hoping for support. So far so good. No bad side effects here. Sounds like to me that it effects some people more than others. I have lost 9 pounds in 9 days. I will try to keep everyone posted on my progress and I hope you will keep posting so we can all help each other.

Eww.. The most disgusting phase of my life is when I was prescribed with Xenical. I hated myself! Everytime I need to go to the bathroom I have to wash up afterwards with soap and sometimes thats not enough.
I felt disgusted that I always wore a pad in my undies just in case I "leak". It was soooo sick I stopped it two weeks later. And I was on a low-fat diet!

Like I said, I guess it effects some people more than others. I haven't had any side effects that have been much different than a regular BM ( just a different color). I am down 2 more pounds though!!!! Somebody celebrate with me!!! go me!!!

Go you! Orange carrots are very appropriate! I still have some of my old prescription but don't have the nerve to start taking it again.

Thank you very much! I really want to talk with others trying to lose weight for support. Do you have a certain group you are a part of? Did you take xen before? Results? I know, I'm nosy.

Just logging on for first time.. Will be starting my xenical as soon as I pick up the script. I see some mixed reviews, but will give it a try. Glad I found this forum!

Hey, hope you like it. I do. It has really helped me turn all my bad habits around. Write back and tell me what you think?

Goals for today:

64 oz. of water

30 min. treadmill
around 1600 calories

Losinwt and Renejo, how are you both doing? My DH has been taking xenical for about a month. He has lost about 10 pounds. I have only been taking it for about 2 weeks and I have lost 4 pounds. I hope it goes ovc soon as it is very expensive for both of us to take it.

I think the pill is incentive. Incentive to make the best choices in food. I think of it like the pill alcoholics take to keep themselves from drinking. This is a pill I take to keep myself from eating food that is high in fat. Some people may not need that incentive but some people do.

I am so glad to find this forum. I have searched for people who are taking xenical to get inspiration and share experiences and have had a hard time finding it. I am so happy to find a forum that has people who can share their experiences with me.

I look forward to hearing from y'all.