Alli is the brand name for the weight loss medication orlistat that is available without a prescription. In stronger doses, orlistat is marked under the name Xenical, which much be prescribed by a physician. It works by keeping some of the fat in your diet from being absorbed in the intestines, decreasing the the number of calories consumed. Alli is made by GlaxoSmithKline and is widely available at retailers. Preliminary studies have shown that orlistat can be an effective weight loss tool, but it does have some side effects.
Liver Injury
The FDA began a safety review of Alli in 2009 in response to reports of liver problems in people taking Alli for weight loss. Donald Hensrud, M.D. of the Mayo Clinic reported that so far, no link has been found, but if you experience symptoms such as a yellowing of the skin, fever or brown urine, seek medical attention.
Bowel Changes
Side effects of Alli do include several potential changes to bowel movements. Because Alli inhibits the absorption of some fats, those oils are passed through the colon and can cause an oily discharge from the anus. Other bowel changes, according to information at the Mayo Clinic, include loose stools and an increase in the number of bowel movements.
Loss of Bowel Control
Eating more than 15 grams of fat during a meal may cause the body to have sudden uncontrollable bowel movements, according to the drug manufacturer's website. The effect occurs when the body has too much fat to process, and it is expelled quickly through the intestines before it binds effectively with other waste materials. Roughly 5 percent of people taking Alli in trials dropped out because of this and other bowel side effects. The company suggests following the eating plan to avoid this side effect.
Vitamin Deficiency
Alli blocks 25 percent of the fat you eat, and that will also cause some of the fat soluble vitamins in your food to also be blocked. The manufacturer suggests taking a multivitamin daily while on the Alli plan.
Lesser Side Effects
As with most medications, Alli also has side effects that only a few patients experience. They include kidney problems, dizziness, hypertension, anxiety, depression and skin rashes.
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