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New anti-obesity pill

Prozac Rex Features

A new over-the-counter pill could be the 'miracle cure' to fighting obesity, say drug manufacturers.

Alli costs just £1, is available at chemists and is a more readily available version of Xenical, a prescription-only drug which doctors give to treat obesity.

Both drugs, Alli and Xenical, contain orlistat, which interferes with enzymes called lipases, which break down fat.

Orlistat stops some fat being digested, meaning it can't be absorbed by the body and passes straight through.

Alli is a half-strength version of the more powerful Xenical and has already proved to be a hit Stateside where it launched last June.

Sales of the anti-fat pill have surpassed £75 million and the drug's manufacturers say Alli helps dieters lose 50% more weight. The company predicts taking Alli and combining it with diet and exercise should see a 3lb a week drop in weight.

Although not yet available in the UK, pharmaceutical company GlaxiSmithKline has applied for a license to sell Alli in Britain, meaning the pill could be available to buy next year.

Professor Williams of Bristol University commented on the new drug saying: 'People who take these drugs without comprehensively changing their lifestyle will probably lose less weight than those who make lifestyle changes.'

Prof Williams continued saying those after a 'quick fix' by buying the drug over the counter would end up disappointed.

Tuesday 15 April 2008


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I am a fat girl called Allie - maybe this drug was made for me!! Although I was prescribed Xenical about 6 years ago - and I did not lose much weight, it had no effect on my hunger levels, and the helpline woman told me I was not eating ENOUGH fat!!! When I did eat a bar of choc or some chips you really have to run for the loo at top speed (probably the only way I lost weight during taking it!). But I don't think a half-strength version will do much....Oh, and the other thing...there is no fat in wine...so you can drink yourself a thousand cals while taking Xenical and it will have NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER!!!
Comment by Allie on April 29 14:00

My understanding of Xenical is that the side effects can be quite unpleasant - i.e. the fats literally DO go straight through you, causing leaky diarrhea. I can't comment on Alli as I know nothing about it, but I would definitely check out the side effects before taking.
Comment by Ali Cook on April 16 08:43

i have taken ali.and i did not lose much weight at all.in fact it was less than 2kg in a month.itsjust another one of those go out and buy by the pharmaceutical company,so that they can make a killing on poor over weight people.the plus side is ,you do have more of a sit down during the day.(toilet)
Comment by ruth john on April 15 23:42

A TV programme recently on these types of products suggested there are huge side effects; the worst being permanent brown stains on your underwear. One 'guinea pig' said she need to buy new pants every week!
I think I'd rather be fat!
Comment by serry on April 15 20:25

If people ate sensible diets and passed the sweet isle in the supermarket and the ready meals I doubt there would be much need for these pills at all. The long-term side effects are not known and unless it was a matter of life and death regarding obesity by an underactive thyroid or some other disorder is it really the way forward? I don't think so. The answer is simple - eat well, exercise moderately and get plenty of sleep. So HEALTHY EATING should get a thumbs up, not some new found fad - in my opinion.
Comment by Maggie Makinson on April 15 18:53

I once stupidly purchased Xenical without a prescription over the internet. All I'll say is, please beware of these drugs. It actually made me incontinent whilst using it! Changing your lifestyle to eat healthier and exercise more is the ONLY way to loose weight.
Comment by linz on April 15 17:32

Whilst these 'diet pills' seem appealing and even glamourous when advocated by 'celebreties',people should be aware of the side effects, and long term physical effects on there body!
The old adadge of 'if it seems tobe to good to be true, then it probably is to good to be true!'should be noted.
Always read the fine print and follow the manufacturers instructions , as the pills may exaserbate bowel problems , like diarroeaha and bloating, cause insomnia and dehydration, as well and hyper activity,and bad skin.
All off which makes you highly unsocialble, no matter hao slim you get!
Diet and excercise all the way, it's the only way!
Comment by Cathryn Furssedonn-Coates on April 15 16:19

I bought Alli when I was over in the States. I only have about 1 stone to lose, I only take an Alli capsule if I am going to have a meal that contains fat, if you do have a fatty meal you will find one of the side effects is having to run to the loo, so be aware! I havn't lost any weight so far, my food intake is usually healthy, I don't eat fastfood at all but then I don't exercise either, whether it would work for people who are very overweight and make a dramatic change to their diet, I don't know, or maybe I should take 1 cap with every meal if it contains fat or not.
Comment by Rita M Radcliffe on April 15 14:21

sounds amazing - but i wonder what the possible side effects are?
Comment by Karen Radford on April 15 13:39

come on im on a diet half of the year i would try it most women would
Comment by p moseley on April 15 13:17

For a lot of people it will give hope to loose weight without having the embarresment of consulting a Doctor or attending weight loss groups which I personally find uncomfortable and the expence incurred. Thank you.
Comment by MRS J SLEIGH on April 15 13:07

I tried Xenical, the prescription version of this, and even following the guidance rules about not eating fatty foods (eg, butter, biscuits, cakes, cream etc.,) I found the whole experience really unpleasant .. it changes bowel habits, and I strongly recommend that anyone using it stays within immediate reach of a toilet at all times!

Perhaps if you know your health is in severe & immediate danger this would be worth it, but I hated it.
Comment by Susie on April 15 12:55

Can you tell me where I can get it. I am willing to take the chance if it means I can lose weight, as I have tried nearly every diet there is
Comment by Margaret Doney on April 15 11:25


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