Alli is an over-the-counter version of the weight-loss drug orlistat. Before June 2007, orlistat was only available by prescription as Xenical. Alli contains 60 mg of orlistat, half the strength of the prescription version. It works by preventing absorption of some of the fat that you eat. Alli is intended as part of a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet, in combination with an exercise program. Following usage directions is important to prevent side effects.
Avoid Fatty Foods
While taking orlistat, avoid foods that have more than 30 percent fat per calorie count. Read the labels on all the packaged foods you buy, because processed food may have higher amounts of fat than you expect. Frozen casserole dinners and pot pies, for instance, commonly get 50 percent or more of their calories from fat. Salad dressings and bakery items also are typically high in fat.
Choose lean cuts of meat and remove the skin from chicken and turkey. Meat and seafood servings should be about the size of a deck of cards, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Other guidelines from the NIH for orlistat use include consuming only non-fat or 1 percent fat dairy products, cooking with vegetable oil spray and avoiding fast foods. The best bet is filling up with whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Daily Fat Consumption
You should divide your daily intake of fat, protein, and carbohydrates over all of your daily meals, according to the Alli usage directions provided at Drugs.com. As with individual meals, the fat content of your total daily diet should not be more than 30 percent of your total daily calories.
Eating more fat can cause unpleasant side effects. These include gas with oily discharge, sudden urges to have a bowel movement, frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, inability to control bowel movements, oily stools, discharging orange or brown oil, rectal pain, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Some of these side effects may occur when you first start taking Alli, even if you are careful about fat intake, but they usually are temporary. The Alli directions recommend bringing along a change of underwear wherever you go.
Usage
Alli directions advise taking the capsule within one hour after a meal that contains some fat, and taking it with a full glass of water. If you skip a meal or eat a meal that does not contain any fat, don't take Alli for that meal. You should not take more than three capsules daily.
Take a Multivitamin
Take a multivitamin supplement once a day when using Alli, because orlistat blocks absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Take the multivitamin at least two hours before or after taking the Alli capsule, preferably at bedtime.
Contraindications
Do not take Alli if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless you get approval from your doctor. Talk to your doctor before taking alli if you have gallbladder problems, a history of pancreatitis, an underactive thyroid, diabetes or chronic malabsorption syndrome. You may not be able to safely take alli with these conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating reports of liver damage from orlistat users, so be aware of signs such as jaundice, weakness or dark urine. Also be aware of signs of an allergic reaction, which can include a rash or hives, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. People younger than 18 years old should not take Alli.
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