Comments on: Alli Diet Pill Approved by FDA

By: saka

saka — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:16:32 +0000

I’ve just read all these posts and guess what? I came to this site because after I started taking Alli again (didn’t for 10 years after I got diverticulitis) I got SEVERE pain in my abdomen – doubled over. Do we think what could be happending is that the side effects of impending bowel movement/oily leakage causes you to “hold it” which is the worst thing you can do and that in itself can lead to diverticulosis/itis – Do you think it could be the side effect reaction to it that is affecting everyone with diverticulitis? Points to ponder. All i know is i developed diverticulitis after having been put on it by my doctor around 1997 or 98 – can’t remember exact dates – and didn’t reconnect the timing until recently – when I started having these side effects again. I am trying NOT to take it with any meals that are hi fat and trying to keep my consumption to below 12 grams of fat – hope that helps – otherwise, I am outahere again.

By: Maryjo

Maryjo — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:35:31 +0000

I have taken Alli for three months and then off it for a month then back again to allow my body to be free of Alli. I had my first attack of Diverticulitus in July. I stopped taking Alli and I just started to take them agian in October and guess what?????Not to my surprise I was just released from the hospital with another attack. So I will NEVER take Alli again. I was fine my whole life until I started taking Alli. I get that one attack in July and I stopped til just October and again I end up in the ER??? Now you tell me……..Alli is a bad idea. To anyone thinking about taking this pill please dont!!!!

By: In Pain

In Pain — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:26:14 +0000

I have been taking alli for two weeks also and am having severe front lower left abdomen pain, back pain on left side and my chest has been hurting. Am going to the doctor and have since stopped the Alli. None of this ever has happened until I started these pills. My body hurts and I will not use this ever again. I believe the best thing is working out (which I do daily) and trying not to eat so much fat! Please don’t take these for a few pounds of weight loss. Good Luck and God Bless!

By: Art Sands MD

Art Sands MD — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:19:32 +0000

I am home recovering from my third episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis (confirmed by CT scan).

I’m a family physician in excellent shape with an excellent diet and regular exercise. No problems with diverticulitis until the last several years during which I have bee taking orlistat.

The number of cases I have seen reported above raise a very high index of suspicion that there may be a connection. I’ve reviewed the medical literature while recovering (worst part is the anorexia from meds). There have been some interesting studies correlating increased intestinal motility with diverticulitis.

This is definitely something the FDA needs to investigate. I will contact them. If you have had or know of additional cases of diverticulitis, particularly in younger individuals notify me at dr.sands [at] comcast [dot] net. I will forward this on to the FDA.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:46:29 +0000

Incidentally, I too have contacted the FDA, 1-888-463-6332 and have reported this issue and am currently working with one of their investigators. People taking the pill need to proceed with caution and do so at their own risk.

I think it’s overwhelmingly evident that there is a correlation between Alli and damage to the colon (especially diverticular disease) and it’s unfortunate that it may have to take some time before this information is made public on a more nationwide avenue.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:36:37 +0000

I have been researching Alli and claims of diverticular disease – all of which I find interesting. I am 39 years old and was on Alli for apxx 6-8 month last year (2008). In January I stopped having bowel movements and after a month of antibiotics, was referred to a GI specialist for an exam and ultimately a colonoscopy.

It was confirmed that I have diverticular disease and had a dealing with diverticulitis during that time – which was especially painful. I was told that my colon is severely damaged with the disease and I need to have appx a foot or so of it removed since it’s not a matter of if I’ll have another attack, it’s when.

I am 5′9, 175lbs and stopped Alli immediatly. While taking it the pills worked (with a sensible diet) but I almost constantly had abdominal pain which I assumed with the pill working. I am CONVINCED that this pill caused this disease and the surgery that will be a result of it. The specialist said that he has never seen a case this severe in someone my age. It is disturbing and I am confident that there are others like me and eventually this will come to light.

There are too many postings of this claim all over the internet and I know I’m not alone. I am not morbidly obese nor have I had a lifelong diet that would have resulted in this condition – let alone this severe. … My two cents.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:17:50 +0000

I am 28 and have been taking Alli for 2 months now. I have lost 24 lbs., when nothing ever seemed to work for me before. I do have treatmrnt effects, when I consume more fat than I should at a sitting. They are not that bad, and worth the weight loss. For all of the people who are freaking out on here and trying to blame this pill for their personal problems, simply do the same search you did to get to this website and you will find the same dismal claims for EVERY single drug out there. The pure and simple truth of the matter is that you were already predisposed to these conditions before taking Alli, no matter what you believe. Any doctor will support this idea, especially because ya’ll are saying that you had this “reaction” so immediately after taking the pills. Even though you think you are supporting your claim with that excuse, you are actually disproving it. The body generally does a very god job of handling anything new that it is exposed to, and it would take a significant amount of time (if any at all) to begin having “problems” from a pill that does only one simple job–block fat in the intestine. At the same time, the average usage time for Alli pills is 6-9 months. If you believe you need to take it for longer, perhaps you should be considering alternative weight reduction procedures at that point. I will continue to use Alli until I reach my goal, and I am not at all afraid of the time when I discontinue its use. Alli is not just a simple fat blocking pill, it has effectively TAUGHT me to live a more active, healthy, and nutritionally aware life. FOR LIFE.

By: Deborah Terry

Deborah Terry — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:26:20 +0000

My sister, who is never sick, has never been in the hospital, started using Alli. After only two weeks, she experienced excruciating pain and was rushed to the emergency room. It took a while for them to figure out what was wrong, but apparently her colon perforated and infected her appendix which burst. She is lucky to be alive! It has taken her a few months to get back her strength, but she is now good as new. She is convinced that the Alli is responsible for her emergency surgery. Pretty scary.

By: Rhonda Brutt

Rhonda Brutt — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:12:42 +0000

I tried Alli during the summer of 2007 when it was first introduced and ended up in the E.R. with diverticulitis, something I’d never had before. I was suspicious of Alli as I was an otherwise healthy 45 yr old female and I had carefully followed the directions for use. Two years later, due to a coupon printed in the Sunday paper, I decided to try Alli again as I was not able to find contraindications indicating that it was not safe for me to do so. I was just released yesterday from a 7 day hospital stay for diverticulitis. Am I suspicious of a connection between this drug and these two episodes of diverticulitis that have pertained to me.

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:04:18 +0000

I totally agree with you – I am a true believer that ALLI caused my diverticulitus. So much so that I contacted the FDA from my hospital bed to notify them and I would encourage any others to do the same! I went to the ER in June and following a CT was diagnosed with acute diverticulitus and stayed 5 days in the hospital with IV antibiotics and fluids.

I too have a high fiber diet, exercise and wanted to lose some weight before going on vacation. The only thing I could think that could of caused it was the ALLI, my doctor said I was a little too young for this – normally people who are over 60yrs are more prone to this disease. My advice is to NOT take this supplement if you do not want to endure the pain and suffering and large hospital bills. Its not worth it!