No diet pill can actually burn fat, but lipase inhibitors can block fat from being digested in your body, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. But even these drugs are not a miracle cure for your weight problems and may cause severe side effects if you do not follow dietary and dosage instructions.
Over-the-Counter Alli
Alli is a lipase inhibitor sold over the counter throughout the United States. The drug consists of 60 mg of orlistat. When you take Alli before meals, the undigested fat from those meals will pass out of your body through your bowel movements. If you take Alli, exercise and eat low-fat meals, you can lose up to 11 to 13 lbs. each year, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prescription Xenical
If you have a lot of weight to lose, your doctor may prescribe Xenical. Xenical consists of 120 mg of the fat-blocking drug orlistat. You should not take the pill before low-fat meals or meals with more than 15 g of fat, warns PubMed Health. If you take Xenical, you can lose up to 13 to 15 lbs. each year. Food and Drug Administration officials approved Xenical for use of up to one year, but do not have statistics on the safety of longer-term usage.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effect associated with orlistat use involves problematic bowel movements, according to PubMed Health. If you eat high-fat meals and use any formulation of orlistat, you risk explosive bowel movements, severe stomachaches, fatty stools, loose stools, frequent bowel movements and gas that leaves oily spotting on your underwear. To minimize your risk of experiencing such problems, stick to low-fat protein choices and eat or drink only fat-free or 1 percent milk fat dairy products.
Additional Considerations
You should take a multivitamin daily when taking orlistat, paying special attention to your intake of vitamins A, D, E and K. If you are pregnant, nursing or have a serious illness you should avoid all types of orlistat. As of 2011, orlistat was the only FDA-approved lipase inhibitor drug. But representatives of the organization have received claims that orlistat caused some dieters severe liver injury. If you are taking any type of orlistat and experience jaundice, light-colored stools or dark-colored urine, you need immediate medical assistance. You also need quick medical help if you experience symptoms of allergic reaction such as hives, itching or difficulty breathing.
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