Alli Medication and Weight Loss

Alli medication is an over-the-counter (OTC) form of orlistat offered by GlaxoSmithKline. The pill comes in 60 mg capsules and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a weight-loss aid to overweight adults.

Usage

• Alli, when taken with every meal containing fat, helps the user lose about 5 percent more weight than when not taking the pill. It works by blocking about 25 percent of the fat eaten. The FDA states that studies show measurable weight loss after 15 days of taking Alli and continuing for up to six months.

  An important part of GlaxoSmithKline's Alli weight-loss program involves cutting fat from meals. No more than 15 g of fat should be consumed per meal. Every bottle of Alli comes with a guide to eating less fat and ways to increase healthy eating habits.

Precautions

• Alli should only be taken by overweight adults. A chart attached to every box of Alli gives height and weight requirements. No medications should be taken along with Alli without a doctor's approval. The FDA and GlaxoSmithKline do not recommend using Alli for more than six months.

  If an Alli user consumes too much fat at a meal, negative side effects can occur. These include loose stools, oily spotting and gas.

  The FDA cites more than 100 studies showing the safety of Alli use. However, in August of 2009 the FDA announced plans to investigate 32 instances of serious liver injury occurring in patients taking Orlistat. The FDA advised that overweight adults taking Alli should continue to do so as advised, but consult a health care professional if symptoms of liver failure, such as weakness or jaundice, are present.