Hot New Diet Pill Alli Causes Leakage

Seattletimes.nwsource.com reports that the first over-the-counter diet drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been introduced into stores and is being snapped up by customers. Selling at about 59.95, the drug came out last week and is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Despite nasty and embarrassing side effects, the pill is disappearing off of shelves all over the country.

Called, Alli, this over the counter drug decreases the amount of fat that can be absorbed by the body. The non-prescription drug is an OTC version of Xenical, which is a prescription weight loss drug. Online.wsj.com communicated that Alli blocks approximately 25% of the fat a person eats. However, if a person overeats, GlaxoSmithKline warns that a nasty surprise is ahead.

The drug's website, myAlli.com warns that the diet drug could cause gas that is accompanied by an oily discharge. Frequent and loose stools could also occur. Online.wsj.com quoted Alli's website. The site stated that it's "a smart idea" to bring a change of clothing to work while using Alli.

In order to avoid such gross side effects, GlaxoSmithKline suggests eating a low fat diet, which would include limiting one's fat intake to approximately 15 grams of fat per meal.

In spite of the dramatic decrease in fat absorption that the drug provides, many drug stores report that a large amount of the drug's buyers are skinny women. Furthermore, the drug is supposed to be limited to users over the age of 18. However, it seems that such rules are unclear since just about anyone can pick the product off of the shelves.

The rapid popularity of the drug typically causes one to question the drugs effectiveness. Is this the new magic diet pill or is it just a fad? News-medical.net reports that research shows that people taking the drug while sticking to a low fat diet lost an average of 5% of their beginning body weight over a period of about four months. That's about two to four pounds a month.

On Seattletimes.nwsource.com New York based nutritionist, Oz Garcia said, "There is no real advantage to using Alli unless you're doing what you're supposed to do: working out, eating a well-balanced diet, all the things you have to pay attention to."

Further tests have shown that Alli is as effective in the long term as other "quick fix" attempts to lose weight, meaning its often difficult for people to keep the weight off once they have lost it if they have not made the necessary lifestyle changes.

Hall, Carla "Dieters Snap Up New Drug Alli Despite Nasty Side Effects" The Seattle Times url (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003751119_dietdrug17.html)