Duromine or Xenical (Orlistat)

Since these medications have diverse active ingredients, they belong to various pharmaceutical groups and even produce slightly different effects.

Duromine

• Anorexigenic agent
• is known as an appetite suppressant, energy stimulator and metabolism booster.

Xenical

• Fat blocker
• suppresses only the activity of gastrointestinal enzymes, preventing lipid digestion.

Duromine can be recommended for patients with body mass index above 25, while Xenical is generally prescribed for severely obese people with BMI more than 27.

Another feature that differentiates Duromine and Xenical is their popularity and demand in the pharmaceutical market. Duromine is an older drug that is time-tested and reliable, while Xenical is a comparatively new medication, though it has managed to become required and popular.

Despite the fact both drugs produce severe side effects if taken wrong and presuppose prior consultation, Duromine is a prescription medication, while Xenical is sold in some countries without RX.

All in all, comparing these two effective and dependable weight loss pills, it is possible to note that Duromine is a bit cheaper drug, but it has a potentially bigger number of contraindications and side effects. On the other hand, Xenical is a long-term medication that should be taken for a longer period of time to reach significant results.

Duromine vs Xenical: dosing regimens

Both drugs are produced in capsules and intended for oral use. These capsules are swallowed whole using a glass of water. However, frequency and other recommendations for use of these drugs differ.

Duromine

1. One capsule is used once daily during breakfast.
2. The initial dose of Duromine is 30 mg.
3. The dose can be increased to 40 mg or reduced to 15 mg.

Xenical

1. The recommended dose is 120 mg three times a day.
2. They are usually taken for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
3. The doses are used during food intake or an hour after a meal.

Xenical works only if food consumed contains fats. If your food does not contain fat, a dose of Xenical should be skipped. Duromine suppresses appetite regardless of the food composition.

Duromine and Xenical: contraindications comparison

All anti-obesity drugs have contraindications, so Duromine and Xenical are not unique in this respect. The mechanisms of action of these drugs are very different, so they have different contraindications.

Before you start using anti-obesity medications, make sure they are not contraindicated to you.

Duromine contraindications

• use of MAO inhibitors or within 2 weeks following their administration;
• depression or history of mental illness;
• history of alcohol / drug dependence or abuse;
• some diseases of the heart or blood vessels;
• hypersensitivity to the drug.

Xenical contraindications

• breastfeeding;
• cholestasis;
• chronic malabsorption syndrome;
• hypersensitivity to the drug.

Xenical (Orlistat) is a peripherally acting drug; it works only in the intestine and usually does not affect other body systems. Therefore, it has a small list of contraindications.

Duromine stimulates the central nervous system and may increase blood pressure. Because of this mechanism of action, Duromine has more contraindications than Xenical does.

Duromine vs Xenical: side effects

Xenical and Duromine have not only therapeutic effects that contribute to weight loss. During using these drugs, side effects may occur that are usually mild, but sometimes severe.

Duromine may cause many side effects related to the central nervous system, heart, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system. Some of them are:

• precordial pain;
• hypertension;
• nervousness;
• overstimulation;
• dry mouth;
• nausea;
• changes in libido.

A full list of Xenical (Orlistat) adverse reactions is no less impressive than that of Duromine.

This medication works in the intestine, so most adverse reactions are related to the gastrointestinal tract.

Some of them are:

• oily spotting;
• abdominal pain / discomfort;
• fecal incontinence;
• increased defecation;
• abdominal distension;
• rectal pain / discomfort;
• fatty / oily stool.

Despite the large lists of adverse reactions, Duromine and Xenical are usually well tolerated by patients. These adverse reactions occur early in the course of therapy of overweight or obesity and are resolved with continued treatment in the majority of patients.

I you wonder whether  you can use Duromine and Xenical together to achieve higher weight loss results, it is better to consult with your doctor. Both can cause side effects and their joint use may be contraindicated to you.