All About Alli, The Weight Loss Pill

Experts Explain The Benefits And Side Effects Of The Over-The-Counter Diet Drug

(WebMD) 
A GlaxoSmithKline executive, speaking at a news conference in New York City, called the untoward GI effects a positive feedback tool to help people modify their eating habits. Put another way: eat a high-fat meal, have an "accident" — and you will be less likely to do it again.

"If you think a Quarter Pounder with cheese is low fat compared with Big Mac, you will get some feedback," Foster tells WebMD. For this reason, Alli is not a good combination with a high-fat, low-carb diet. In addition, if your diet is too low in fat, there's no fat to be blocked.

Prescription-strength Xenical contains 120 milligrams while Alli contains 60 milligrams. But the side effects are not necessarily halved, Foster says.

"They are about 20 percent fewer," he tells WebMD.

If Alli blocks fat so well, it may also block the absorption of important vitamins and minerals, critics allege.

"Any low-calorie diet should be accompanied by a multivitamin," Foster says. "The behavioral nuance here is that you don't want to take the vitamin at the same time as you take Alli." He recommends taking the vitamin at bedtime to avoid any depletion of its contents.

Some critics think it may be better to avoid taking the pill at all, saying it's not necessary.

"There are demonstrable short-term risks and no possibility of long-term benefit," points out Sidney Wolfe, MD, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group in Washington, D.C.

If you really want to lose weight, he says the answer is not as sleek and sexy as taking a pill to augment your efforts. "You need to make a mild change in how much you eat and a mild change on how much you exercise, If you walk 2 miles more and eat 300 calories less per day, you will lose a pound a week or one-half a pound a week. It's slow but it works and has no risks."


Read The Fine Print

Despite its detractors, and even though it's not being billed as a magic bullet, many consumers may see it as one anyway.

"There are always going to be some people who won't read beyond the headlines, who so much want a miracle that they will believe this is one when its not," says Arthur Frank, MD, the medical director of the George Washington University Weight Management Program in Washington, DC.

If a person does choose to try Alli, they can't be passive about it, he says. "You really have to pay attention," Frank tells WebMD.

"There are drugs that you can use and be totally passive about, such as blood pressure or cholesterol medications, but you can't do that with Alli," he says.

"You have to be careless to use Alli incorrectly, but some people are careless," he says. Still, "if you are reasonably careful, it should be reasonably effective."

[likeitis5050]

markjessup Your parents need to keep better track of what you do on line. You have the maturity level of an 8 year old. Seriously. Get off the message boards...do some smut surfing or something. You are ill.

[drinuk]

This guy Jessop is two sandwiches short of a picnic, he should be banned from this site.

[sofi2hot]

i did la weight loss.. i ate my own food. did NO exercise and didnt even follow thier plan to the letter and i lost 40 pounds in 2 1/2 months.. how hard can it be to realize that you just have to eat less junk and more of the natural stuff we should eat anyway to be the weight you are destined to be?? fat people may smell.. but skinny people do too.. just let it go markjessup apparently not everyone is as "educated" as you.

[ramos937]

Truth - I am obese. I entered an out patient inexpensive rehab physical program at a local hospital and have lost 2 lbs in a week. They put me on a 2200 calorie diet per week and moderate exercise program. I am starting to feel better.

My point - I took a long time to get to where I am and will take a long time to lose the weight. But, I am definitely not taking this pill. For one thing, it is still too new. Let's see what actual field results are.

Plus, my work does require frequent contact with others. I definitely do not need an accident to torpedo my work.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Better living through chemistry" overeat garbage, take a pill, you can still look just like the hardbods on TV. Of course inside you will have the constitution of someone 190 years older.

Drive SUVs, kill the ozone, Science will save the earth.

Overfish the oceans, later science will invent a fish substitute.

Eat GM food, later science will fix that genetic damage to your grandfreaks.

Use even stronger cellphones, later science will be able to reverse the microwave roasting of your brain.

Actually science won't do jack, but we want you to think so, so we can take more of your money.

By the way, eat about twenty low fat Pringles, and feel the excitement as a volcano explodes in your bluejeans, and the hot lava runs down your leg.

[olivera75]

I was previously on this medication when it was pres. only (called Orlistat) a monthly supply was about $180.00, but let me tell you it WORKS, but if you eat too much fat like pork chops or other greasy foods you will regret it..... plus when you use the bathroom it will smell like some some has been dead for weeks. I did however manage to drop 20 lbs in a month (I was also doing Atkins) and the pill was to help with all the fat this diet makes you take in... Good Luck, I stopped taking it because it was too expensive, although I did avoid high levels of fat ;)

[shanev137]

I'll take a Big Mac, a side order of analeakage, and a medium Coke to go please.

[erasmus6]

markjessup

I have noticed that you seem to have a problem. I have notice that, when you post comments on other articles as well. You should maybe seek medical attention, you are definitely in need of some.

[thomderr]

I think we got the message!

[apdepetris]

From Along Came Polly...

Sandy Lyle: Reuben, I'm in a situation here. We have to leave now.
Reuben Feffer: No. Can we stay a couple more minutes?
Sandy Lyle: Dude, no. This is serious. I just sharted.
Reuben Feffer: I don't know what that means.
Sandy Lyle: I tried to *** and a little *** came out. I just sharted. Now let's go.
Reuben Feffer: You're the most disgusting person I've ever met in my life.

Maybe Sandy was taking Alli...

[blindersoff]

So people will be skinny but stinky? No thanks, I think I'll pass.

[m0fugga]

'Gas with oily discharge'??? Isn't that also known as crapping your pants?

[jjp735i]

Buy stock in Depends or other adult diapers. if Alli sells well, so will the diapers.

[prelgovisk]

The extra 5 pounds you lose to slim down will be offset by that puffy Depends you have to wear after taking the pill.