Alli Diet Pills
Alli
is an over-the-counter diet pill that promises the strength of a prescription diet pill, but in a non-prescription
form. Although there was some controversy over its approval by the FDA, it is a safe, effective and popular option for weight loss.
Alli diet pills offer an option to those dieters who would like to avoid embarrassing trips to the doctor, health insurance claims and the hassle of prescription pickups. It really is as easy as just going to the pharmacy and buying it.
With over 130 million Americans overweight, and more than $23 billion spent on diet products annually, this is a move by the FDA to introduce some scientific credibility into the over-the-counter diet pill market. Alli diet pills differ from other over-the-counter pills, in that their active ingredient has been rigorously tested and trialled. As such they should be safer and more effective in the long term.
How Does Alli Work?
Alli is otherwise known as Orlistat. It is a half-dose version of Xenical, reviewed on this site under the prescription drug section, and is actually the first government-approved non-prescription pill.
As a fat blocker, Alli diet pills cut the amount of fat that your body absorbs by around a quarter, or about 150-200 calories worth. Combined with a low fat diet, patients typically find that they can lose 1-2lbs extra per month than other dieters not using Alli. The extra fat is expelled in the dieter's stool.
Alli is not just a fat blocker though. The side effects, which can sometimes be unpleasant, actually help to modify the diet of those who take it. Eating less fatty food reduces the side effects, so a course of Alli is great training for the kind of low fat diet that you probably should be following anyway.
How do you take Alli?
Take Alli with a full glass of water. It is usually taken at the same time as any meal with significant fat content. Try not to eat high fat food with Alli diet pills as it may cause side effects with your digestive system. Most importantly, remember that Alli may flush out some vitamins from your system along with the fat, so supplement your diet with multivitamins.
The total cost of taking Alli is around $1 to $2 per day, and it is available in high street drug stores. Alli is made by GlaxoSmithKline, a British company, and similar products should soon be readily available in Europe.
Alli Pros & Cons
Pros
• Easy access. Find Alli next to the other OTC diet pills in your local pharmacy.
• Prescription strength. Alli is a half-strength version of Xenical.
• Relatively inexpensive. $3-4 per day is not too bad for this kind of pill.
Cons
• Side effects can be unpleasant. Some users experience an oily stool and leakages. These normally pass after a
week or two though.
• Weight loss requires maintenance. Most weight loss from Alli diet pills is in the first 6-12 months. After that you either
come off the pills and try to modify your diet, or stay on the pills indefinitely.
• Expensive. $3-4 per day is not too bad for this kind of pill, but can add up to a lot if you use it long term.
Who should not take Alli diet pills?
Dieters with diabetes should not take Alli, nor should those with organ transplants as Alli may interact with tissue rejection drugs. Those with gastro-intestinal complaints should also take care as Alli can sometimes have unpleasant effects on your digestive system.
Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid Alli diet pills, as should younger dieters.
Alli Side Effects
By its nature, Alli is likely sometimes to provoke gastro-intestinal problems. Because it prevents the proper absorption of fat, feces can become oily and dieters may notice involuntary leakage of these fats. These side effects are minimised by eating low-fat meals.
Alli can also prevent the absorption of certain fat-soluble vitamins, like D, E, K and beta-carotene. It is advised that dieters take a multivitamin supplement along with Alli to maintain correct levels of these vitamins.
Alli - Interactions with other drugs
Anyone taking prescription medicine should consult their doctor before taking Alli. However, those dieters who need drugs to prevent organ rejection after transplant should be particularly careful.