Should I take Alli?

If you have tried to lose weight before but without any success then consider alli. Alli is a weight loss pill which when combined with a support programme results in weight loss. This is important: the way alli works depends upon you following a low fat, reduced calorie diet. It also helps if it is accompanied by exercise as well. Alli is a type of diet pill and whilst these can be effective the best results come from making long term changes to your lifestyle. If you are prepared to change what you eat and increase your activity levels then this may be a suitable option for you. But, alli can not be used by everyone. Alli can only be taken by adults aged 18 and above who have a BMI of 28 or more. They must also be prepared to follow a low fat, lower calorie diet and make other lifestyle changes such as taking exercise.

However there are some groups of people who must check with their GP first before taking alli. These include:

• People with kidney disease
• Diabetics
• Epileptics
• People taking amiodarone for heart rhythm problems
• People taking a thyroid medicine, e.g. levothyroxine

Also speak to your GP or pharmacist if you are taking medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. This similarly applies if you are taking any other form of prescription medication, herbal medicines or any over the counter remedy.

Women who are currently taking oral contraceptives may find that they experience severe diarrhoea as a result. Use an extra form of contraception as alli can prevent oral contraceptives from working properly.

Exclusions for alli

There are some people who can not take alli under any circumstances. These include:

• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• People aged under 18
• People who are taking Warfarin or other blood thinning drugs
• People with an allergy to Orlistat or any of its ingredients
• People with cholestasis (a condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is blocked).
• People with chronic malabsorption syndrome (unable to absorb food properly).
• People who are taking ciclosporin (anti-rejection drug). This is often given after organ transplants or for some severe skin conditions, e.g. psoriasis).

If you are unsure as to whether you can take alli or not then check first with your GP or pharmacist. Read the labelling carefully and before you use alli.

Speak to anyone you know who has used alli. Read case studies and visit diet forums on the internet. Many of these forums include posts about alli.