In 2007 the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved orlistat (the active ingredient in Alli) for use as an over the counter weight loss agent for adults over the age of 18 years old. This distinguishes Alli from the other weight loss medications on your drugstore shelf and ensures the safety of the product. Before starting this medication, check with your doctor to avoid any interactions with other medications and to minimize your risk of side effects.
Getting Started
The Alli Starter Pack gives you everything you need to get started. Alli weight loss capsules are designed to work within your digestive tract and prevent your body from absorbing approximately 25 percent of the fat from your diet. The Alli Shuttle is a specially designed carrying case which makes it simple to keep your capsules with you wherever you go. Reference booklets like the welcome guide, companion guide, calorie and fat counter, healthy eating guide, Quick Facts cards and a Daily Journal are all designed to maximize your chances for success and make it easier to follow the program. Your starter pack also includes an online program with guidance and an action plan to help support you throughout the process.
How It Works
Alli, along with a healthy diet and exercise program, effectively assists you in losing weight by preventing your intestines from absorbing 25% of the fat from your diet, thereby reducing the total number of calories that your body absorbs. Orlistat disables the function of lipase (an enzyme in the digestive system which helps to break fat down) which enables undigested fat to pass through the intestinal tract. This fat is ultimately passed through your body and eliminated with your bowel movement.
Recommendations
Take Alli with a meal (a meal containing some fat), as frequently as three times daily. To limit unwanted side effects,limit your fat intake to no more than 15 grams per meal. Alli alone will not reduce your weight significantly. You must commit to adopting a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and exercise program. Once you reach your goal weight, discontinue using Alli. The makers of Alli (GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) recommend that you take a daily multivitamin at bedtime.
Side Effects
Common side effects include frequent, sometimes urgent bowel movements; loose stools; diarrhea; difficulty in controlling bowel movements; and gas accompanied by an oily discharge from your anus. These bowel changes are a result of the undigested fat passing through your body and can be minimized by adopting a low-fat diet plan.
Warning
If you've undergone organ transplantation, do not take Alli (it can interact with anti-rejection medications). Do not use Alli if you have any conditions which inhibit the absorption or good, you are at a healthy weight or if you're on cyclosporine. Talk to your doctor before taking Alli if you have a history of thyroid disease, diabetes, gallbladder issues, pancreatitis, kidney stones or if you are taking any blood-thinning medications as you may require additional monitoring or a dosage adjustment. You should not take Alli if you are pregnant or nursing. Discontinue use and contact your doctor if you experience severe, worsening or nonstop pain in your abdomen. This could be a symptom of a serious condition.
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