Alli Weight loss pill (AKA Orlistat & Xenical)

Drug name: Orlistat

Brand names: Xenical, Alli

Use: Obesity management, weight loss

There are many names that are used for the Alli weight loss pill:

Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor that reduces the absorption of dietary fat - about 30% of the fat intake from meals passes through the gut undigested. Orlistat can help reduce weight (or maintain a lower body weight) by reducing the absorption of fat from the bowel, not by suppressing your appetite.

Xenical: is a brand name by Roche and is licensed for sale over-the-counter in the USA & on prescription in the UK.

Alli weight loss pill: is half the strength of Xenical and is available to buy over-the-counter and online in the UK.

Over-the-counter anti-obesity drugs work best when combined with a reduced calorie, low-fat diet and regular exercise. When taking the alli weight loss pill, each meal should contain no more than 15g of fat.

How does the Alli Weight loss pill work?

Alli reduces the amount of fat absorbed during a meal. This prevents the fat from being used as a source of energy or stored within fat cells. Fat storage will occur if calorie intake exceeds calorie expenditure. Basically, if you burn off more calories than you consume then you will lose weight.

Alli can help with this by stopping two important digestive enzymes from working: these enzymes ( lipases) are responsible for breaking down food so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This drug prevents that from happening.

Food is broken down but without the action of these enzymes. This undigested fat is then excreted as a normal waste product.

Your GP will recommend that you take Alli at every meal in order to prevent fat absorption. There is the risk of vitamin/mineral deficiency due to malabsorption. In order to prevent this, ensure that your diet is rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Your GP may advise you to take a multivitamin supplement to boost your immune system.

What are the side effects of Alli & when should it not be used?

Alli can be effective when used with a sensible diet and exercise regime. However, like any drug it does have side effects and is not advisable for the following:

• flatulence (gas)
• increased urgency to open the bowels (diarrhoea)
• oily discharge or fatty stools
• abdominal distension (bloating) and pain
• faecal incontinence

Contraindications for using Alli:

• Chronic malabsorption problems/syndrome
• Cholestasis (problems with normal bile flow from liver to intestines)
• Gallbladder problems
• Anorexia
• Pregnancy or planned pregnancy
• Kidney stones
• Diabetes
• Breastfeeding

Orlistat acts only in the gut, but it potentially inhibits the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E & K. Longer term this could carry risks of vitamin deficiency -- the manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline advises taking a daily multi-vitamin pill to protect against this.

Dose of Alli / Orlistat:

120mg at mealtime (max 3 doses per day).

If a meal is missed or contains no fat, the dose of Alli should be omitted.

Are you thinking about using Alli?

Have you tried to lose weight only to regain it at a later date? Do you find dieting difficult? Would you like to change to a healthier lifestyle? Can Alli help me to lose weight? This guide is here to answer these and any other questions you may have about Alli. It contains all the information you need to make an informed decision about the Alli weight loss programme.

If you are trying to lose weight and are considering Alli then we hope that this guide will give you a greater understanding of what this weight loss drug does, its benefits and side effects.

Alli weight loss programme

What is ‘Alli?’ Alli is a weight loss pill which when combined with a healthy diet and exercise results in sensible weight loss. It is designed to be used as part of an overall slimming programme.

Alli is the brand name of Orlistat � an anti-obesity drug which prevents fats from being absorbed in the body and reduces calorie intake. This reduction in calories causes your body to burn body fat which leads to weight loss.

How does Alli do this?

Easy to understand approach to Alli

Find out how Alli works in this comprehensive guide. This guide discusses all aspects of Alli weight loss pills and is structured as follows:

• Obesity
• Diet pills
• What is Alli?
• Should I take Alli?
• Preparation for Alli
• How Alli works
• Using Alli
• Alli side effects
• Alli FAQs
• Glossary

This guide is here to help you learn more about Alli and why it has become popular with people who are trying to shed those excess pounds. It is aimed at people who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 and above who want to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Alli is a ‘diet pill’ which is seen as one answer to the growing obesity problem in the UK. Diet pills are part of the multi-million pound slimming industry which offers a range of weight loss solutions to a captive audience. Find out more about diet pills within this guide.

Alli can be taken by people who are clinically obese as well as those who are overweight. But what is the difference between being overweight and obesity?

Obesity and Alli

Obesity is a major problem in the UK which is continuing to rise. No-one is exempt from this: children as well as adults are affected and the government is all too aware of the costs �both human and economic if this state of affairs is allowed to continue. Alli can help people who are classed as obese as well as those who are carrying a few extra pounds.

The issue of obesity is discussed further within this guide.

A structured and objective look at Alli

Alli weight loss pills form part of an overall weight loss system which includes setting a goal, tracking your progress, devising healthy recipes, taking exercise and receiving feedback and support. This guide takes a logical approach to Alli, which includes a look at what Alli is, whether you are a suitable candidate for Alli and how to use it.

How safe is Alli?

This guide includes a section about side effects which do happen although only in a small percentage of cases. All forms of medication cause side effects and Alli is no different. This is something to be aware of when considering whether to try Alli or not. However, Alli is regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) which means that it is considered safe to use by the general public. The issue of safety and side effects of Alli is discussed in greater detail within this guide.

The final sections of the guide include a look at the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Alli and a glossary of medical terminology used.

Medical terms have been used but are accompanied by either a description or a link to the glossary section.

Find out more about Alli. . .