Alli formerly known as Xenical

The FDA has now approved the sale of the prescription drug Xenical, for weight loss, over the counter. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare will market the drug as Alli (pronounced Ally) at half the strength of Xenical. Alli will cost $12 to $25 a week with 80% of the market expected to be women.

Alli works by blocking the absorption of about 1/4 the fat you consume and carried out of your body in your stools. By blocking the absorption of fat Alli blocks the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, K, E, and D, for this reason you will be recommended to take a multivitamin at bedtime. Could this be catch 22?; you need to consume some fat to absorb fat-soluble vitamins even when taking a supplement.

Proponents of Alli think this will be a safe weapon in the war against the ever growing obesity epidemic in our country; that remains to be seen. Even those singing the praises of Alli are the first to tell you this is not a magic pill, you will have to eat a low-fat diet and exercise in order for Alli to be effective. Now it seems to me that eating a low-fat diet and following an exercise program results in weight loss without the aide of a pill.

There is concern that some will abuse the diet pill especially among bulimics or binge eaters. Dr. Howard Eisenson, director of Duke and Fitness Center, says that because of the unpleasant side effects he doesn’t think this will be a problem. Too much of Alli leads to diarrhea and “involuntary leakage” of undigested fat. I have to ask if one suffering from bulimia will consider this a problem?

People who are diabetic, using blood thinners and transplant patients need to check with their doctors before taking Alli, there is the possibility of drug interactions. Because of the risk associated with the abuse of this drug sale is not approved for those under 18.

So how much will Alli actually increase your weight loss? According to FDA documents over a six month period you will lose an extra 5.3 to 6.2 pounds for the low cost of $288 to $600, depending on the number of pills taken daily.

That seems like a lot of money for an extra six pounds.

Category: Product Analysis