When Alli was launched in April with a heavy marketing campaign, sales hit record levels. For many this was a miracle cure – eat what they want and still lose weight! Of course, the reality is somewhat different.
Firstly, at Healthy Life we suggest a good dietary regime and exercise programme for weight loss. There are instances when these actions might need a little extra support, but popping a pill should never be the first choice. (We can fully recommend the Patrick Holford Low-GL diet – why not give it a try? Delicious, healthy food and extremely effective!)
But lets look further at Alli and recent concerns:
Alli stops the absorbtion of fat in the gut and its main active ingredient is the drug orlistat. This is also the basis of many presription slimming pills. But there are serious concerns about orlistat and suggested links to liver damage. This is currently being investigated by the FDA, the USA medicine watchdog the Food and Drug Administration. Similarly, the UK regulatory body MHRA (Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency) have received 31 complaints about orlistat since Alli was launched in April, and 1,252 complaints about orlistat in total.
Xenical has been available since 2001 and is the stronger version of Alli, available only on prescription. Since then, 24 patients taking it have died, one of liver failure and the others from heart attacks, gall bladder inflammation, multi-organ failure and lung clots. An additional five cases of sudden death have been unclear as to the cause. The potential side of effects of Xenical reported to the MHRA include heart problems, gastrointestinal issues and skin complaints. Nearly 100 were connected with liver damage.
Our message. Don’t take Alli. Change your diet and exercise more. Weight loss pills should be a last resport!
Tags: Alli, complaints to MHRA, liver damage, orlistat, over-the-counter slimming pills, prescription slimming pills., slimming drugs, slimming pills
1 Comment
The side effects connected with Alli and Xenical, which seem to be much more serious than indicated on the labeling, such as liver damage, are frightening. It’s such a shame that in an attempt to lose weight, one can end up suffering serious harm. I just ran across an interesting site on the Alli and Zenical issue at http://alli-liver-damage-lawyer.com/, which gives some good information and advice on the the issue.