Popular diet drug may cause liver damage

30 May, 2010 by Neuschwanstein

Although they described the problem as rare, they warned dieters to look out for symptoms which can include itching, yellow eyes or skin, or a loss of appetite.

The regulators had previously launched an investigation into Alli, the over-the counter diet drug made by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and Xenical, the prescription version of the medication.

A prescription version called Xenical is made by Roche.

The FDA identified 13 instances of liver damage associated with the drugs. A causal effect between the drugs and the problem has not been established.

Diet drug Alli

The FDA urged doctors and patients to watch for signs of liver injury, including itching, yellow eyes and skin and loss of appetite.

Glaxo said in a statement it is “committed to ensuring that consumers and physicians understand the safety profile” of alli. More than 10 million people worldwide have used alli since it was launched, according to Glaxo.


Roche said the “safety profile of Xenical is based on more than 10 years of clinical experience and more than 36 million patients worldwide have received Xenical.”

The FDA first approved Xenical in 1999 and alli in 2007.

U.S. sales of alli more than doubled last year to $293 million, though they have come nowhere near the blockbuster numbers originally expected by Wall Street after the drug’s 2007 launch.


1 Comment »

  1. Neuschwanstein says:

    Alli has been quite an able find for those who suffer from obesity. Cellulite jutting out from skin is an ungainly sight for sure. Also, the fact that obesity can have serious health effects is a cause for concern. Overall, obesity can make you feel lethargic, fatigued, metabolically weak, toxic-fed, and prone to many cardiovascular diseases. Alli diet is smartly coming up against these bottlenecks for sure.

    Alli helps in stopping the absorption of as much as 25 percent of body fat. This ensures that 1/4th body accumulation of fat is kept away at the least. Alli or Orlistat containing Xenical is just the right kind of drug for overweight adults. Yes, there is something you should ponder over. Its fat that absorbs most of our vitamins and minerals and hence going below the threshold level is never appreciated too much by the metabolism.

    In this context, Alli Diet works the right kind of setting. It asks for moderate intake of fat and tends to reduce calories but never appeals for fat cutting below the threshold level. Along with a low calories diet, the Alli diet prescription pill also asks for a moderate exercise regimen.

    The e-commerce portals are singing paeans of Alli Diet Pills. It’s all for a good reason; we know for sure how being overweight can cause strokes of heart, hypertension, osteoarthritis, diabetes and many other maladies. Alli diet does not ask you to suppress appetite, it asks you to bring a behavior change and thus create a harmonious environment for body growth and weight loss.

    Bowel movements can get a little shaky and there can be oily anal leakage and bloating and gas formation but these are pretty small temporary prices to pay for the benefits that come out of it. In the past there have been many weight loss programs that have come with the weird idea of suppressing appetite and creating a sense of famine in the body.

    However, these fad diets are prone to relapses and create quite many side effects. The testimonials of Alli diet pills suggest that there is a string of people finding good results from this pill. While taking Alli, make sure that your fat intake per meal is not more than 15 grams. Also, you should track the meals and do a religious study of your exercise regimens.

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