FDA allows nonprescription sale of lower-dose version of Xenical (Orlistat)

The pill will be sold under the name "Alli" and will be a reduced-strength (50%) version of the prescription type.

The drug is intended for people 18 and older to use along with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise.

In trials, for every five pounds people lost through diet and exercise, those using orlistat lost an additional two to three pounds.

The drug blocks of absorption of roughly one-quarter of fat consumed, and is passed through the stools. This causes loose bowels in some patients. Half the patients tested report gastrointestinal side effects. A multi-vitamin is recommended since vitamins are more likely to be unabsorbed while on the medication.

The price hasn't been set yet, but could be $1 to $2 a day. Glaxo Smith-Kline estimates that 5 to 6 million would buy the drug over the counter each year.

full article

I ran across this product, Alli, when I was searching for ways to help me lose weight. It sounds promising - it has FDA approval, and it's sold over the counter. It works by helping your body pass about 25% of dietary fat, rather than digesting and absorbing it. I'd love to lose another pound for every 3 I lose through calorie control!

Has anyone else checked this out? Anyone interested in using a product like this?

http://www.myalli.com/Default.aspx
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/o ... /index.htm

So will it block the good fats too? If so, then I don't think that would be very healthy.

It will block all fats, but only about 25% of what you consume overall. 75% of all consumed fat (good or bad) would still be digested by the body.

My doctor told me about this months ago. It seems that these fats that are not absorbed will pass through the colon in an oily state. In other words, it will cause leaking, because the sphincter muscle is not designed to control the passage of oils/liquids, which, he adds, won't smell like flowers... So guess what? It ought to help sell Depends. I would rather lose weight the old fashioned way. Healthy eating and proper exercise. I don't think the embarrassment is worth it. Now, if I had many, many pounds to lose, I might rethink that.

Me too. I just don't think that I want to treat my body that way either. I would rather loose the fat the old-fashioned way.

Blocking the good fats is a really bad idea. I get that for the morbidly obese that using a drug can be beneficial since their lives are at risk but for me with only 65 pounds to loose (59 now) I just can justify having tummy trouble and missing out on the good fats like from fish, nuts or avocados

My understanding is that this is designed for people who are significantly overweight and only as a short-term tool. I've heard that the rx version becomes a problem when people don't make the life-style adjustments in conjunction with its use or they try to depend on it. As soon as they stop taking it, the weight comes back. I've also heard that the issue with loose stools is dependant on what you eat. If they consume lots of fats, they're at higher risk for side-effects.

Honestly, I question if the benefit from the drug comes from the actual fats that it blocks or from the threat of relatively immediate consequences for poor choices. I mean, if I knew that those kinds of problems could quickly arise, I'd certainly take extra caution to avoid high-fat foods.

At this point, I do not plan to take it. However, I can't say point blank that I simply wouldn't try it. The temptation of a little 'easy' help in this process may be too much to simply ignore. But I would worry about how I'd feel about the decision later on. And I'd certianly talk to my doctor before trying it, (the FDA has approved plenty of bad ideas). I'm interested to hear from somebody who's tried it though.

A few years ago I tried the RX version call Xenical and it is a waste .. not to be coy.. there are oily stools and messy accidents. I lost zero weight and was considered obese. The script at the time cost me $150 which was not covered by my insurance.

Come to think of it I still have a few pills... I would never recommend even an over the counter version IMO it would be a waste of money. I have now lost more weight then what was promised by the meds the old fashion way and it has cost me nothing.

~SmallerMe