FDA approves first over-the-counter diet pill, Alli

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its first over-the-counter diet pill on Feb. 8. drug goes by the brand name "Alli" and is produced by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline. "Alli" contains half the dose of the prescription diet drug, "Xenical".

Doctors say the pill, to be taken before each meal containing fat, works by not allowing the user's gut to digest consumed fat. "Alli" works by blocking the absorption of roughly 200 calories of fat from each meal. Undigested fat is removed in the stool.

However, there are gastrointestinal side effects to the pill such as diarrhea. Patients can expect to lose between six to 10 pounds during the course of six months to a year.

Dr. Adi Mehta, weight loss expert at Cleveland Clinic said, "This medication works in the gut. Basically what it does is not allow the gut to digest the fat that you take in. If you digest it, you can't absorb it. If you can't absorb it, therefore it can't go in to the wrong place in your body."

F-D-A researchers say the drug is for people 18 and older and say it should be used in combination with a diet and exercise program.

Talking about gastrointestinal problems, Dr. Mehta says these can help people lose weight.

"The beauty of this medication is because you don't want to have the oily stool and the discomfort from it, you tend to start to restrict how much fat you take in. And by doing that, you're sticking to a diet and to that extent, you're going to get enhanced ability to lose weight."

'Alli' is not for people who've had organ transplants. And people taking medicine for high blood pressure and diabetes should talk to their doctor before using the drug.

The new diet pill, estimated to cost below two dollars, is expected be on store shelves beginning this summer.

Alli: FDA approves first over-the-counter weight-loss drug

Overweight adults who are struggling to shed excess pounds have a new over-the-counter (OTC) weapon in the fight against obesity.

The weight-loss drug orlistat (Xenical) was originally approved in 1999 as a prescription drug to treat obesity. Now, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a reduced-strength OTC version of orlistat (Alli) for adults age 18 and older.

Alli promotes weight loss by decreasing absorption of fat by the intestines. The capsules are taken with meals, up to three times a day. It sounds like a dieter's dream, but there are no shortcuts to permanent weight loss. Alli is intended to be used only with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and regular exercise.

The most common side effects of Alli include diarrhea and gas with oily spotting. These and other bowel changes can be minimized by eating a low-fat diet. A daily multivitamin is recommended to offset the loss of fat-soluble nutrients, such as vitamins A, D and E.

Alli shouldn't be taken by anyone who has a healthy weight, who's taking cyclosporine, who's had an organ transplant, or who has problems absorbing food. The drug also may pose risks for anyone who takes blood-thinning medication or has diabetes or thyroid disease. Some studies have associated the prescription-strength version of the drug with precancerous changes in the colon.

Alli is expected to be available by summer 2007.

What does this mean to you? If you're struggling to lose excess weight or you have medical complications of obesity, an OTC weight-loss drug may be an appealing option. Remember, however, weight-loss drugs aren't a silver bullet for weight loss. And they aren't a good choice for everyone who's overweight.

It's best to lose weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise. But if you're already following a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and exercising regularly, Alli may help you lose additional pounds. Work with your health care provider to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of Alli or any other weight-loss drugs. As a team, you can create the most effective weight-loss plan for you.