What is the active ingredient in diet pills?

Alli diet pills: Does it work?

Is Alli, an over-the-counter diet pill, the solution to your overweight problems?

Alli (pronounced AL-eye) is an over-the-counter medication for overweight adults trying to lose extra pounds. Because of its easy availability and promise of weight loss, is Alli your weight loss solution?

What is Alli?

Alli is a 60-milligram over-the-counter version of Orlistat (Xenical), a 120-milligram prescription drug. Both Alli and Xenical should be used as part of a weight loss plan, along with a low-calorie, low-fat diet and regular physical activity.

Alli is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in adults 18 years of age and older with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more. Xenical is approved for use in adults with a BMI of 30 or more (obesity). Xenical is also approved for people with a BMI of 27 to 30 (overweight) who have other health risks, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Are there concerns about orlistat?

The FDA published a safety review of orlistat in 2010 because of rare reports of serious liver damage in people taking the drug. The FDA found no evidence to support that orlistat was the cause of the reports of liver damage.

However, Alli and Xenical labels have been revised due to reports received. Contact your health care provider right away if you have signs or symptoms of liver damage, such as:

• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Yellow eyes or skin
• Light colored chair
• Brown urine

How does Alli work?

Orlistat (the active ingredient in Alli) promotes weight loss by reducing the amount of dietary fat absorbed in the intestines.

Lipase, an enzyme found in the digestive tract, helps break down dietary fats into smaller pieces so they can be used or stored for energy. Orlistat blocks the work of lipase. When you take the drug with a meal, about 25% of the fat you eat is not broken down. The fat passes through the intestines.

How much weight can I lose by using Alli?

Alli can help you lose weight. But the weight loss is likely to be insignificant. For example, it may only be a few pounds more than you could lose with diet and exercise alone.

In some studies, more than 40% of people who took Alli on a calorie-restricted diet and increased physical activity lost 5% or more of their body weight within a year. Clinically significant weight loss, usually defined as 5% or more of body weight, means that the weight loss is sufficient to begin to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other diseases.

People who followed a calorie-restricted diet, exercised regularly, and took Alli lost an average of 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg) more in one year than those who only dieted and exercised.

How do I take Alli?

You take one 60-milligram Alli tablet within one hour of a fat-containing meal up to three times a day. You should distribute your daily fat intake between the three main meals. Your fat intake should be no more than 30% of your total calorie intake. The manufacturer recommends consuming about 15 grams of fat at one meal.

If you eat fat-free foods, you do not need a dose of Alli. If you take Alli along with high-fat foods, you are likely to experience more serious side effects from your digestive system.

Alli may reduce absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, including beta-carotene and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Take a multivitamin at least two hours after your last Alli intake. For some people, this is the best time to sleep.

Does Alli have any side effects?

The active ingredient in Alli, orlistat, causes side effects related to the passage of undigested fat through the digestive system. These usually decrease over time and with proper use of the drug. These side effects include:

• Abdominal pain or upset stomach
• Oily discharge from the anus
• Gas with oily anal secretions
• Oily stools
• More frequent defecation
• Urgent or difficult to control bowel emptying

Other possible side effects include:

• Headache
• Back pain
• Symptoms of a cold
• Menstrual changes

When should I not take Alli?

Before taking Alli, talk to your doctor about possible interactions with other medicines, especially if you are taking medicine to treat any of the following conditions:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Irregular heartbeat
• Heart Disease
• Seizures
• HIV

It is also important to consult with your doctor if you have had any cases of the disease:

• Gallbladder problems
• Kidney stones
• Pancreatitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome

Alli is not recommended if you:

• Have a healthy weight
• had an organ transplant
• Taking cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, etc.)
• Have trouble digesting food
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

How long do I need to take Alli?

A weight loss plan with diet, exercise, and drug therapy is usually considered successful if you lose about 1 pound (0.5 kilograms) per week in the first month. Losing 5% or more of your body weight before treatment within one year is also considered successful.

If the treatment is successful, you will have a better chance of maintaining the weight or losing even more weight if you continue with your diet, exercise, and medication.

Most of the weight loss from taking the drug occurs during the first few months. If you have been following a diet and exercise plan and have not lost at least 5% of your original body weight within a few months, continuing the drug may not be helpful.

If you have not lost 5% of your body weight within a year of taking the drug, stopping the drug is a wise decision. The risks, side effects, and cost of taking the drug likely outweigh any potential benefit.

How does Alli fit into a healthy weight loss plan?

Alli is not a simple weight loss solution. Weight loss and weight retention require a commitment to a healthy diet with calorie restriction and regular physical activity.

Together with your doctor, evaluate the potential benefits and risks of Alli or any other weight loss medications. As a team, you and your doctor can make a weight loss plan that is right for you.