FDA Approved Orlistat Diet Pills
The Food and Drug Administration said the fat-blocking weight-loss pill orlistat, which has been available by prescription, can be sold in a reduced-strength version over the counter. This has been in effect since February 2007. While most unapproved weight loss supplements claim to help you lose fat, orlistat was the first to have the FDA actually back those claims by approving it.
The over the counter (OTC) drug is sold under the name ‘alli’ and the prescription version is called Xenical.
When taken with meals, orlistat blocks the absorption of about one-quarter of any fat consumed. That fat — about 150 to 200 calories worth — is passed out of the body in stools, which can be loose as a result.
The good news is that in trials, for every five pounds people lost through diet and exercise, those using orlistat lost an additional two to three pounds.
Who Should Use Orlistat?
The drug is intended for people 18 and older to use along with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise. Experts stress that the drug is intended for use along with diet and exercise programs, and that using the drug alone is unlikely to be beneficial.
Who Should Not Use Orlistat?
The FDA said people who have had organ transplants should not take orlistat because of possible drug interactions. In addition, anyone taking blood-thinning medicines or being treated for diabetes or thyroid disease should consult a physician before using orlistat, the agency said.
Anyone who is not willing to exercise and eat a lower calorie, lower fat diet, should not bother using the OTC version of orlistat, as they may see little to no results.
Side Effects
About half of patients in trials experienced gastrointestinal side effects, and most experienced lose stools. In fact, the most common side effect of the product is a change in bowel habits including loose stool and some oily spotting. Eating a low-fat diet will reduce the likelihood of this side effect.
On the downside, at least one expert has said that studies have associated the prescription version of orlistat with precancerous lesions of the colon. There are no studies linking the non-prescription version with precancerous lesions or any other disastrous side effects at this time.
