Orlistat, Alli and Xenical
side effects
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The only over-the-counter drug for weight loss that has been approved by the
FDA is being reviewed by the agency after reports suggested the drug, orlistat,
may cause liver damage. [1]

More than 30 reports to FDA said that patients taking Alli and Xenical. Xenical is
the prescription form of the pill. Many wound up hospitalized for their condition,
while six patients were treated for liver failure. [1]

Glaxo sells the nonprescription version under the brand name alli. The company
said in a statement "there is no evidence that alli causes liver damage," which
can stem from many causes. People who are overweight or obese are
predisposed to liver-related disorders, the company said. [2]

Alli (Orlistat 60 mg Capsules)

Claim: Weight Loss Aid

Typically, enzymes in your intestines break down fat from food so your body can
absorb the fat. But the active ingredient in alli attacks to some of these enzymes
and prevents them from digesting about a quarter of the fat you eat. Because
undigested fat can't be absorbed, it passes out of your body instead of turning
into calories.

Common Side Effects:  The oily stuff sticks to your toilet; it is hard to clean. In
addition, if you intake a lot of grease food, you may experience an urgent need
to go to bathroom. It can prove potentially embarrassing and uncomfortable;
some oily bowel may leak out. Even though Alli is specifically structured to take
out the fatty content of dietary intake, It may also prevent the absorption of
fat-soluble vitamins.

Good thing is.. because of the embarrassing situation and the urgent needs to
go to bathroom, most of the users become self-motivated to cut out the fatty
diets.

Patients should not use alli if they are pregnant or breast-feeding, have had an
organ transplant or taking medicines to prevent rejections, have problems
absorbing food, or are not overweight.

[1] Health Buzz: Weight-Loss Drug Faces FDA Review and Other Health News
U.S. News August 25, 2009

[2] U.S. Probes Roche, Glaxo Diet Drug Over Liver Injury ABC News, August 24,
3009.