Xenical vs. Belviq

Xenical (orlistat) and Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) are used as adjuncts to diet and exercise to help with weight loss.

Belviq is used in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) and adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).

Xenical is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor and Belviq is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist.

Side effects of Xenical and Belviq that are similar include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, back pain, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and skin rash.

Side effects of Xenical that are different from Belviq 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, rectal pain, weakness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, itching, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), problems with your teeth or gums, cold symptoms (sneezing, fever, chills, flu symptoms).

Side effects of Belviq that are different from Xenical include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), mental problems, slow heartbeat, dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired, fatigue, dry mouth, constipation, painful erections, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection (UTI), and muscle pain.

Xenical may interact with cyclosporine, thyroid medicines, amiodarone, insulin or oral diabetes medicines, HIV/AIDS medications, seizure medicines (especially if your seizures get worse while taking orlistat), vitamin or minerals supplements that contain beta-carotene or vitamin E, and blood thinners.

Belviq may interact with antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), triptans, bupropion, dextromethorphan, and St. John's wort.

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 (stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms)
• headache
• back pain, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if 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 fast heart rate.

Common side effects of Belviq include:

• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
• mental problems,
• slow heartbeat,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• feeling tired,
• fatigue,
• nausea,
• dry mouth,
• cough,
• back pain,
• constipation,
• painful erections,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• urinary tract infection,
• muscle pain,
• sore throat, or
• rash.

Xenical (orlistat) is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor used to help with weight loss by preventing the digestion and absorption of fat in food by inhibiting the enzyme lipase in the intestine.

Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Belviq is also approved for use by adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).

Xenical may reduce the absorption and blood levels of cyclosporine when both drugs are administered together. Xenical may also cause vitamin K levels to decline, and patients taking warfarin (Coumadin) must have their blood clotting monitored closely.

Belviq may interact with antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), triptans, bupropion, dextromethorphan, or St. John's Wort. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Xenical is taken as oral capsules.

Belviq is taken orally. The recommended dosage of Belviq is one 10mg tablets taken twice per day. Belviq should be discontinued if 5% weight loss is not achieved by week 12 of therapy.