New Diet Drug Promises To Help You Lose Weight
A new over-the-counter weight loss drug goes on sale next week. It's the only nonprescription diet drug approved by the FDA. It claims to help people lose 50 percent more weight than diet alone.NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported Wednesday on the safety of the pill"I have lost 32 pounds so far," said Ruth Tenofsky, of Hull.After a six-year battle to lose weight, Tenofsky is tipping the scale in the right direction, with the help of a new diet program."It's exercise, eating properly and taking the pills," said Tenofsky.
Tenofsky is taking the diet drug Xenical, only available by prescription. But next week a lower-dose version of the pill, marketed under the name Alli, will be on store shelves. It's the nation's first nonprescription diet drug approved by the FDA."It's a safe plan and it also works," said Dr. Caroline Apovian, the director of the Center for Nutrition and Weight Management at Boston Medical Center.Alli is marketed for people over the age of 18. It claims to block the absorption of roughly 200 calories of fat."If you're able to lose 10 pounds using diet and exercise, you're able to lose 15 with Alli," said Apovian.Apovian has written "The Alli Diet Plan."
She stresses that Alli is not a magic pill. It needs to be used with a diet and exercise plan, and there are side effects. The biggest complaint: It can cause gastrointestinal problems."It's how the drug works, by blocking the fat. The fat has to go somewhere and it goes in your stool," she said.Tenofsky hasn't had any side effects. She understands the drug will not work on its own. She makes it a point to eat right, and get to Boston Pilates three times a week.
Tenofsky is taking the diet drug Xenical, only available by prescription. But next week a lower-dose version of the pill, marketed under the name Alli, will be on store shelves. It's the nation's first nonprescription diet drug approved by the FDA."It's a safe plan and it also works," said Dr. Caroline Apovian, the director of the Center for Nutrition and Weight Management at Boston Medical Center.Alli is marketed for people over the age of 18. It claims to block the absorption of roughly 200 calories of fat."If you're able to lose 10 pounds using diet and exercise, you're able to lose 15 with Alli," said Apovian.Apovian has written "The Alli Diet Plan."
She stresses that Alli is not a magic pill. It needs to be used with a diet and exercise plan, and there are side effects. The biggest complaint: It can cause gastrointestinal problems."It's how the drug works, by blocking the fat. The fat has to go somewhere and it goes in your stool," she said.Tenofsky hasn't had any side effects. She understands the drug will not work on its own. She makes it a point to eat right, and get to Boston Pilates three times a week.
