Feb 9, 2007 10:00 am US/Central
FDA Approves New Over-The-Counter Diet Pill
by Angela Davis
(WCCO)
-
-
The drug maker claims Alli reduces the amount of fat the body absorbs from food.
It sounds too good to be true. So that's what we wanted to find out -- is it?
You've probably heard that the Food and Drug Administration just
approved the first over-the-counter weight loss pill. It's called Alli and will be distributed by GlaxoSmithKline.
The drug maker claims Alli reduces the amount of fat the body absorbs from food. It is a half-dose version of the prescription drug Xenical.
The FDA cleared Alli for use by overweight adults. You have to be at least 18 years old to take it.
The packaging says that for every five pounds lost through diet, Alli can help a person drop two or three more -- provided you are sticking to a low-fat, reduced-calorie diet and exercising regularly.
Doctors warn there are side effects to the drug, but most don't seem to have any major concerns about health risks.
CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay said that this is not a magic pill. It is essential that you follow the rules and eat right while you are taking the Alli capsules and keep in mind there will be side effects.
"People need to be aware that it can cause some discomfort, some gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea. And because it block fat absorption, people should be aware they need to take a multivitamin along with it," Senay said.
"They are going to be selling it with materials like a log book, a fat counter book," she continued. "They are going to give you access to a Web site that is going to give you support -- and what makes it unique and different from anything else out there that is sold for people trying to lose weight, is that this is the first time that one of these over the counter weight loss drugs has been studied in clinical trials."
Ideally, the drug should be taken up to three times a day with each meal. If there is no fat in your meal, then you can skip a capsule. The cost is about $55 a month, but compared to Xenical that's a bargain. A month's supply of that prescription weight loss drug is $150 to $200.
Alli is not intended for folks who are not overweight or people with problems absorbing food into their systems. You will be able to find Alli in stores this summer.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
