Anyone with coeliac taking xenical?

[beck83]

Hi Everyone

I was perscribed Xenical just before Christmas last year and found helpful. I had to stop when i became ill in april which turned out to be Coeliac (gluten intolerance) - My doctor is reluctant to let me go back onto Xenical now i have my diagnosis and i wondered if anyone has had any experience of this?

Thanks

Beck

[topbird]

Hi there, I would think that the reason that your GP is hesitant to put you back onto Xenical (Orlistat) is because your bowel may be friable and susceptible to perforations/ulceration/infection from your underlying coeliac disease. Xenical works by preventing gastric and pancreatic lipases from working. It is taken at mealtimes to prevent fat that is eaten in the meals from being broken down and absorbed by the body. This means the body cannot use the fat as a source of energy, or convert it into fat tissue. Instead, the fat is excreted in the faeces. By taking xenical and having such a delicate digestive tract, you would be setting yourself up for disaster. Hope this helps, Topbird x