The drug Alli, generic name orlistat, has the distinction of being the first weight loss drug that has been approved for over-the-counter use by the Food and Drug Administration. The drug, which is fairly economical and readily available at pharmacies and big box stores, can go with a diet and exercise routine to maximize results. If you aren't seeing the results that you want with Alli, it's important to examine your own habits. The drug doesn't work unless you do as well.
How It Works
Alli works by removing some of the fat that you consume from your body to block its absorption and consequent storage. Since that fat must be expelled from the body, one of the side effects of Alli is an oily discharge, gas and bloating. Since Alli can't help speed up your metabolism or burn calories, the drug's success is completely dependent upon your own eating habits and commitment to a diet and exercise plan.
High Fat Foods
If you take Alli and continue to consume high fat foods, the pill can only remove so much fat from your body. Alli stops the function of the enzyme lipase, which breaks down fat into smaller components for absorption. The Alli instructions note that you should consume 15 g of fat or less at each meal, otherwise you could experience the unpleasant side effects. Continuing to eat high fat meals is counterproductive to your diet. Alli doesn't allow you to eat whatever you want and lose weight. On the contrary, you must be even more vigilant about your diet to avoid side effects.
Improper Use
You must take Alli at every meal for it to be effective. The pill breaks down so quickly and addresses the current meal you're eating only. If you stop taking Alli or miss a dose, you simply won't reap the benefits of the drug. The drug reacts only to the meal you eat directly after taking the pill. That means if you miss a dose and then eat a high fat meal, that fat can be absorbed into your body and stored, derailing your success. Luckily, there aren't any side effects associated with stopping and starting Alli, so you can begin taking it again at your next meal.
Modest Weight Loss
You may have experienced modest weight loss with Alli but are looking for a drastic change. Unfortunately, you won't see a large amount of weight loss, even if you take Alli properly. Alli is only meant to block some of the fat in your body, not all. The results are usually five to seven lbs. more than you'd achieve with diet and exercise alone after a full year. Alli is not meant to act as a magic bullet for weight loss. It's used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle to see better weight loss results overall. Alli may be working for you, only slower and on a smaller scale than you expected.
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