Alli is an over-the-counter weight loss medication that is a reduced-strength version of orlistat, which is also available at prescription strength as Xenical. It is meant to help people lose weight when used in combination with diet and exercise. Alli can cause side effects and has been linked to reports of serious liver injury, though it is unclear whether the drug actually caused the problem. Talk to your doctor about whether Alli is right for you.
How Alli Works
Alli works by blocking the absorption of some fat from the food you eat, which reduces the amount of calories you take in because fat is high in calories. Alli blocks the function of an enzyme called lipase, which normally breaks down fat into smaller units that can be absorbed through the intestines and stored as fat. When you take Alli with a meal that contains fat, the fat isn't broken down and passes through the intestines, undigested, until it is eliminated in your stool.
How Well Alli Works
Alli may cause you to lose more weight than you would with diet and exercise alone but probably only a few pounds more. On average you can expect to lose 8 pounds in a year from dieting and exercise alone. If you take Alli you may lose 3 to 5 pounds more on top of that. Even if you take prescription-strength orlistat, you can expect to lose only an additional 5 to 7 pounds compared with diet and exercise alone. Also, people who take medication to lose weight often regain the weight when they stop taking the drug.
How To Take Alli
When taking Alli, you will need to restrict fat in your diet, and in any one meal, to no more than 30 percent of the calories you are eating because higher amounts will increase the risk of side effects. Take Alli with each meal. Eat lean cuts of meat, fish and poultry and eat a portion about the size of a deck of cards. Choose no- or low-fat dairy products and cook with minimal fat. Instead, fill up on low-fat whole grains and fruits and vegetables. Alli will block your body's ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins and beta-carotene from the food you eat, so you will need to take a daily multivitamin that contains vitamins A, D, E, K and beta-carotene, two hours before or after you take Alli.
Risks
Alli can cause side effects, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment. These include oily spotting on underwear, gas, urgent or more frequent bowel movements, inability to control bowel movements, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. If you are allergic to orlistat, you may experience symptoms like rashes or hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. Rarely, people may develop signs of liver problems such as fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes, fever or brown urine. Call your doctor if you develop any of these severe symptoms, and check with your doctor before taking Alli if you have existing liver disease, gallbladder disease, a history of pancreatitis, underactive thyroid or chronic malabsorption syndrome.
Member Comments