Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors often cause changes in your weight. If you have gained weight as a result of taking your SSRI and want to lose that weight, you may be considering Alli among your weight loss options. Learning about how Alli works can help to determine if it would be a useful supplement for your weight loss efforts. Consult your physician prior to taking any medication or starting any weight loss program.
Alli
Orlistat is a fat blocking medication, used to supplement your weight loss efforts. In 1999 the Food and Drug Administration approved Xenical, the trade name for a 120 mg tablet of orlistat, which requires a prescription, according to "Focus on Nursing Pharmacology." In 2007 the FDA approved 60 mg tablets of orlistat to be sold over-the-counter under the trade name Alli, making it the first FDA-approved weight loss medication not requiring a prescription.
Alli should be administered approximately 30 minutes prior to a low fat meal up to three times per day. The medication will reduce the amount of fat you absorb, thereby reducing the amount of calories you gain from food and increasing your weight loss.
SSRIs
SSRIs treat depression by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin in your brain. Increased levels of serotonin are linked to mood stability, whereas decreased levels are tied to depression. SSRIs are typically prescribed to be taken once per day with or without food. Some people experience drowsiness as a side effect of their SSRIs. If this is a side effect you experience, you may want to take your SSRI at night before going to bed. The time you take your SSRI is not important, as long as you take it at the same time each day.
Alli and SSRIs
Alli and SSRIs do not interact with one another, according to "Focus on Nursing Pharmacology," and are generally safe to take together, barring any other medications or health conditions that may interfere with these medicines. Gaining or losing weight is a common side effect of SSRIs. If you are losing weight as a side effect of your SSRI, you should consult your physician to determine if Alli could speed up your weight loss to an unhealthy rate.
Side Effects
Alli should only be administered in conjunction with a low-fat diet. Eating too much fat while taking Alli can lead to a variety of unpleasant side effects, including bloating, abdominal cramping and flatulence with oily discharge. The only way to avoid these side effects is to limit your fat intake to no more than 30 percent of your meals.
The side effects of SSRIs vary, and depend upon the medication, but may include changes in appetite, dry mouth, sweating, nausea and headache. Speak with your physician if your SSRI causes bothersome side effects. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a different SSRI medication to treat your depression that may not cause as many unpleasant side effects.
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
