Alli is an over-the-counter medication approved for those over 18 years of age that need to lose weight. The primary ingredient is a drug called orlistat. Alli works by preventing some of the fat from your diet from being absorbed into your intestine. According to the manufacturer, Alli supports your weight loss efforts by preventing 25 percent of the fat that you eat from being absorbed, which means you can lose up to 50 percent more weight than you would from dieting alone. There are some side effects associated with Alli that you should be aware of.
Increased Flatus and Discharge
You may experience an increase in gas (flatus) while using Alli. You may also have an oily rectal discharge accompanied by flatus. These side effects usually subside after a couple of weeks as your body has time to adjust to the medication.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common side effect of Alli. You may experience difficulty holding your bowel movements. Users of Alli have also reported an increase in the number of bowel movements daily.These bowel changes result from the undigested fat going through your digestive system, reports Mayo Clinic. If you are experiencing chronic diarrhea you may be at risk for dehydration. These side effects will usually subside once your body gets used to the medication.
Headache and Dizziness
You may experience headache and dizziness while using Alli. You may want to wait and see how this medication will effect you before you drive or operate machinery. Acetaminophen may be helpful in relieving headache.
Allergic Reaction
Although rare, some may experience a severe allergic reaction to the medication in Alli. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, hives, tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing and swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms seek immediate medical attention.
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