Alli is an FDA-approved over-the-counter form of a prescription weight loss pill. These pills each contain 60 mg of the weight loss drug orlistat. A patient can lose up to 50 percent more weight using this drug than without it; however, there are points to consider before starting this program.
Function
Alli helps patients to lose weight by disabling lipase, an enzyme in the digestive tract that breaks down fat. When lipase is disabled, fat absorption is decreased, which means fewer calories are absorbed by the body. This leads to weight loss.
Components
The Alli diet system includes taking one Alli pill three times per day---one with each meal. The meals you eat should be low-fat and low-calorie. MayoClinic.com recommends that you limit the fat in each meal to 15 grams of fat or less. A diet that is based on the food pyramid is ideal for this program. Whole grains, lean meats, low fat dairy, fruits and vegetables are all components of a healthy diet. This program also needs to include daily exercise.
Side Effects
The fat that your body doesn't absorb has to go somewhere, so it will come out in the patient's feces. Frequent and urgent needs to defecate are common. The feces may be oily or fatty, and they may be orange or brown. Some oily anal spotting is common, especially after flatulence. Other gastrointestinal issues include nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, according to Drugs.com. Cold and flu-like symptoms, a skin rash, fever, chills, headache, sore teeth, and sensitive gums are also common.
Considerations
The Alli diet system isn't appropriate for everyone. People who are under 18 years old shouldn't use Alli. Patients who suffer from chronic malabsorption syndrome or gallbladder disease shouldn't take Alli. People who have other medical conditions, such as an eating disorder, thyroid disorder, liver disease or diabetes should check with a doctor before starting this program.
Warning
The Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers that counterfeit Alli pills are being sold---usually from online sellers or foreign sellers. Alli's main ingredient is orlistat, but the ingredient in the counterfeit pills is sibutramine. The FDA advises that people purchase Alli only from reputable retailers to reduce the risk of counterfeit pills. A check of the contents of the capsules is one way to determine if Alli pills are real. Alli pills contain small pellets, but counterfeit products contain a powder. Alli pills have an expiration date that contains only the month and year, but the counterfeit products contain a month, day and year. Another difference is that all real Alli products have "Sealed for Your Protection" printed on the security seal on the bottle, but counterfeit products don't have that wording.
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