Weight loss is challenging, so if you're trying to shed some pounds you may be looking for help from diet pills. Alli is the only over-the-counter diet pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Learn about Alli before purchasing it to ensure it is the right weight loss aid for you. Consult your physician prior to taking Alli or any other medication.
Science of Weight Loss
Losing weight at a rate of 1 to 2 lb. per week is ideal, according to "Handbook of Obesity Treatment," to improve the chances of long-term success and prevent rebound weight gain. A single pound of fat contains 3,500 calories. Therefore, to lose 1 to 2 lb. per week you must burn 500 to 1,000 calories per day more than you consume.
How Alli Works
Alli is administered 30 minutes prior to a meal containing no more than 15 g of fat up to three times per day. Alli reduces the amount of calories of your meal that your body is able to utilize by blocking some of the fat from being absorbed in your gastrointestinal tract. The unabsorbed fat passes through your gastrointestinal tract and exits your body in your bowel movements. Taking Alli prior to eating a high-fat meal can result in flatulence with oily discharge, loose stool and bloating.
Weight Loss with Alli
Alli is the trade name for the medication orlistat when sold over-the-counter in 60 mg doses. Orlistat is also available by prescription in 120 mg doses by the trade name Xenical. According to "Handbook of Obesity Treatment," Xenical produces an annual weight loss of 5 to 7 lb. greater than would have been achieved with diet and exercise alone. Since Alli contains half of the orlistat of Xenical, it is reasonable to assume that Alli can help you to lose 2.5 to 3.5 lb. each year more than you'd lose with diet and exercise alone.
Considerations
Although Xenical has been tested to see how much weight loss it can produce, Alli has not undergone such testing, according to "Handbook of Obesity Treatment." Multivitamins should be taken at least two hours before or two hours after Alli to prevent Alli from interfering with absorption of the vitamins. Alli should not be taken by children or pregnant or nursing women. People taking insulin, anticoagulants, immunosuppressant medications or antihypertensive medication should not take Alli.
References
- "Handbook of Obesity Treatment"; Thomas A. Wadden PhD, et al.; 2004
- "Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses"; Judi Deglin, et al.; 2010
- "Focus on Nursing Pharmacology"; Amy Morrison Karch; 2009
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