Alli Diet Pill Approved by FDA
What do you do when a diet pill – which was quickly exposed for its embarrassing and potentially life threatening side effects – does not sell?
Why, you reduce its dosage in half, rename it, and put it back on the shelves.
Oh, and you convince FDA that it can be sold over-the-counter (OTC), without a prescription. Impossible? Enter the fat-blocking weight-loss pill Orlistat – a.k.a. Xenical – which FDA just approved to be sold OTC.
Orlistat, which was renamed as Alli, is the first FDA approved nonprescription diet pill, which does not work without a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.
How much weight can you expect to lose on Alli?
If you do not mind the side effects – uncontrollable flatulence, anal leakage, and what appears to be an increased risk of colon cancer (I am not kidding) – “an additional two to three pounds” to what you would normally lose using a good diet and exercise alone.
The director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group already called the approval “the height of stupidityâ€? “the height of recklessness.” Who can argue with that?
So what does it all mean? It means you have two options.
Option one: There are literally hundreds of ways you can lose weight safely and effectively without the Alli weight loss pill or any other diet pills. The best way to lose weight is to find a diet that is not overly restrictive in your food choices and the one you are comfortable with.
If you do not know which diet to follow, have a look at this program or Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle program.
These programs are not some preposterous fad diets that promise unrealistic results. They do not force you into a specific diet and they do not prescribe strenuous exercises, rather, they are designed to be followed at your own pace.
Option two: Forget option one and try Alli weight loss pill.
Possibly related
- Should I Take Alli Diet Pill?
- Alli Orlistat 60mg: Side Effects
- Alli OTC: Will Be Available on June 14, 2007
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02-09-07 at 12:00 pm
What's really sad about this is that people are so desperate to lose a couple of pounds they'll spend a fortune on this stuff. People will be doubling and tripling (or more) the dose hoping to lose even more, and someone's going to get seriously hurt if not killed. The FDA has really been blowing it the past few years, and this is yet another example of the agency's incompetence.
06-19-07 at 6:09 am
Thanks for being honest to the consumer. All the money I have spent on diet pills I didn't want to believe it was true and I'm glad I didn't fall for it AGAIN
06-20-07 at 1:07 pm
So, FDA can we really trust what you stand for? Apparently not! Your label is useless to me now.. FDA approved.... bologna!! For anyone who is interested in this, be a smart consumer and just buy some prune juice and drink it daily! I promise you you will be healthier and you can actually EXPECT to use to bathroom without the risk of colon cancer!
06-22-07 at 12:03 am
I just heard about this stuff today in a news article that says it is just flying off the shelves.
WHY?
Cons:
* the embarassing side effects (you can only take so much of bringing an extra pair of pants to work)
* patching the problem and then ballooning up again once you lose the weight
* colon cancer risk
* not being able to go off the drug when you want to take a vacation (who wants to have the above embarassing side effects on vacation?) because you will gain it back.
* Not learning how to eat right and exercise enough because you are relying on a pill to do it for you (of course this con would exist for any diet pill)
Pros:
*1lb of weight loss a month....thats it
Um...no. While the FDA wastes time rejecting Meroxyl and other drugs and giving no reason....they approve stuff like this????
Yeah....right!
07-02-07 at 11:24 am
I was taking this alli, and I only took it for 10 days, well I just got back from the hospital, I have diverticulitis,it is an inffection in the wall of the colonand very painful,please stop taking this pill
07-05-07 at 11:35 am
wow thank you for this info, I was all set to buy it.
07-13-07 at 6:19 am
You guys are all wrong. I love this diet pill! I have been trying to loose the extra pounds with exercies and diet already. I was already at the gym an hour a day eating very healthy and the pounds just woundn't drop. This pill has helped me! I have been on it 3 weeks and I have lost 6 pounds! Do you shave your legs or tweeze your eyebrows, or in other words, cause yourself pain for beauty. The side effects of this pill are equal to anything else we do to our body for beauty and to feel beautiful. I love this pill and will continue to use it!
07-22-07 at 1:16 am
Good grief, don't freak out. I am not the epitome of health, but I work out in the gym more days of the week than not, and maintain a very low-fat diet. I have some weaknesses, but mostly I'm doing well. Lots of fiber. Fibersure in the morning and fruits and vegetables. I've been taking Alli for a month. Some side effects are a slight bloated feeling, but no where near the "treatment effects" everyone is howling about. Of course, I don't consume Whoppers or Big Macs. Once in six months maybe. I've lost an additional couple of pounds and will continue to take Alli. I attended a pot luck the other day and ate ribs and cheese and full fat pasta salad. No "Treatment effect". However the portions were just normal, figure about 25 grams of fat. Which for me is a lot. This was a test, sort of. Not a problem. I think if just manage to stay away from high-fat foods, you'll do okay. Maybe not, that's just me.
08-31-07 at 1:17 pm
My husband and I have been taking it for about a month...he is in the hospital now with diverticulitis...
09-21-07 at 5:05 am
I have been taking alli for about 3 months and lost about 25 lbs. I'm a karate instructor and recently had 2 kids. This gave me the boost i needed to get back in shape. I eat healthy and go to the gym 2 a week. I walk everyday about a mile at a brec center. This teaches you to eat healthy after you quit the pill and the weight still is coming off. I will start back when i feel the need. I don't have to have it but it does help burn the fat FASTER. I never had any of those side affects either. Eat healthy like it says and you won't have any problems its people who think they can take it and don't change anything in there lifestyle and expect the weight to come off and that is so WRONG
11-19-07 at 12:49 pm
I took Alli for about 2-3 weeks and always had painful stomach cramps. I am seeing a surgeon this week for recurring bouts of Diverticulitis after 2 trips to the ER and was wondering if it was cause by this drug...now I see I am not the only one!!
11-20-07 at 9:03 pm
I took Alli for about 3 weeks when I had a stomach attack, felt week and hot ,passed out. After haveing a MRI it was confirmed that I had a stroke. I am now trying to see if the stroke was caused from these Alli. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much
Donna
12-04-07 at 5:18 pm
Diverticulitis does not come from this pill or any other medication..Please stop spreading nonsense
01-09-08 at 4:39 pm
I was wondering if anyone had information relating to being diagnosed with Bell's palsy while taking Alli? I have been taking Alli for about two weeks with no other changes in my life other than the low fat diet and the Alli. Today I was diagnosed with Bell's palsy and my physician told me to stop taking Alli immediately.
02-04-08 at 6:09 am
The concept behind the drug is to block fat from calories that are ingested. The side effects are diarrhea and oily stools which yes, can lead to accidents. Its an option not a requirement to try it. The dose that is being recommended is by the FDA is considered safe, yes there may be people who double and triple the dose and have life threatening consequences, the same could happen with ibuprophen or tylenol. The FDA cannot take responsiblity for a public that does nothing by the rules. America blames someone for everything. FDA approved a drug, and for everyone who hates it there is some one who will swear by it. If you really want to know, try it at the recommended dose. If it does not work for you, move on. Personally I have never tried it, but would not allow the "opinion" of others to make my decision for me. The sheer nature of how the drug works should tell you there are some side effects. Think about it, if it blocks the fat from being absorbed....it has to go somewhere. You have to determine if the burden is worth the benefit for you!!!
03-17-08 at 12:55 pm
My mother has been taking Alli and she just had a stroke this weekend. I was wondering if the Alli could cause it. Now I see she is not the only one who has had a stroke after taking this.
04-04-08 at 1:00 pm
I also am stonngly suspect of Alli causing my Diverticulitis. I have no other reasonto think it was anything else. I eat typically a high fiber diet, exercise, and am only 36. I stated to use Alli as an adjunct to my low carb diet and 12 days later was admitted to the hospital. I am trying to get a hold of someone from the company to adress this, or really look into the link of this and diverticulitis.
06-08-08 at 10:54 am
used alli and tested it using pizza etc to see if got treatment effects, and have no side effects whatsoever, does it actually work? Not lost weight either.
07-05-08 at 1:57 pm
Okay, to the people that said something regarding alli causing a stroke. have you stopped to think it's not the pill that caused the stroke, but the bad things being put into the body. if you are taking the pill, then you obviously aren't eatting correctly to begin with.
Alli pretty much is there to make you force yourself to eat more consiously because you will have big problems the next day if you eat that big pizza. it does nothing to the heart, brain, or lungs.
why don't people just use the extra 40-60 dollars they are willing to spend on diet pills and buy produce and healthy food. that is the number one reason people say they don't eat healthy...... they say healthy food is too expensive to buy, but yet they will fork out this type of money on a pill that they are hoping will allow them to still eat their donuts, ice cream, candy, etc. the best way to loose weight is as plain and simple as it always has been. consume less calories then you burn and you will loose weight.
Kenny Chesney reported that the way he kept weight down is he ate high fiber through the week, then one day each weekend he would eat what he wanted so he didn't deprive himself.
The FDA is probably rolling at Americans right now, and how lazy they have become that they would rather crap their pants then eat healthy.
Turn off your computer and put your walking shoes on and take a walk.
It's a lifestyle change not a run out to Wal Mart and buy the next fad diet pill change.
07-10-08 at 6:36 pm
I am 7 days post-op from having a colon bisection to treat my sudden and severe diverticulitis. When I used alli for a few months last year (august, september, and then again for a few weeks in December) I never had any of the advertised side effects - instead I had constipation. I've had 2 trips to the ER and one major abdominal surgery....and I wonder if alli is a contributing factor.
08-04-08 at 8:57 pm
I started alli, taking recommended dosage for the first three days, then only took one dosage a day at dinner time for three months. Lost the fat feeling I accomplished my goal. At the third month only took when eating dinner with high fat.
I for the last three weeks am in such pain, with lower left abdominal extending down lower left back, so severe is the back pain I had to literally lift my left leg to get out of my car. have been treating my symptoms as though I have irritable bowel syndrome and it seemed to help until this week after eating, away from the recommended IBS diet. I am wondering if it isn;t diverticulitis!
Obviously, stopped the alli, almost feels as though the alli would help with the stomach bloating and the pressure from feeling as though my intestines had a blockage. Also, feelings of pressure in my esophagus.
Just needed to pass this on, I am convinced I have damaged my stomach from this product after reading the same symptoms as the above.