Alli - FDA weight loss pill

I just saw an ad for this last night while watching Grey's Anatomy. Does anyone know anything about this? Supposedly it's a weight loss pill that FDA approved and over the counter. I'm curious.

This is the over counter version of Xenical which has been a prescription drug for a while.  I does indeed block excess fat from being absorbed, so therefore the warning is unexpected fatty stools.  As a nurse that worked in a family practice clinic for 5 years I know that the few patients that tried it did not like it.  I guess they continued to eat fatty foods and the side effect of that is not pleasant.

My partner has been on Xenical for a long time, at least a year maybe longer. He has had good weight loss with it. He's probably lost at least 50 lb. And, until the beginning of this year when I started to diet, he hasn't been dieting at all. So the pill does work for him anyway. He has mentioned that the side effects are less now since he mainly eats the lunches I pack and the dinners I cook. He still does fast food breakfast though.

I don't believe it's cheating because weight loss isn't a game. It's a health matter. Whatever means are needed to deal with the health matter should be used.

I'm seriously considering trying it.  I've been dieting for a year and have lost 85 lbs, the lifestyle change has been made.  I'm getting frustrated with how slowly my weight loss is going now so I'm thinking that Alli could just get me there a little faster.  I already eat low fat, 25% or so of my calories come from fat, so about 300 to 400 per day or so.  

It sounds like any weight loss you get would come from the fact that you are forced to eat a low fat diet or pay the consequences.  The consequences also sound like you would loose quite a bit of water (ie dehydration) weight.  I would like to see someone post that has tried it and succeeded.  There was an article on WebMD and below is some of it.  Beware and be careful!

"An expert panel voted 11-3 to recommend the drug for over-the-counter sales for people who are overweight, despite concerns from several panelists that its marketer, GlaxoSmithKline, did not study its long-term use in those who are overweight.

That leads to some weight loss but also causes many of orlistat's gastrointestinal side effects. Fat that isn't absorbed passes through the digestive system, causing loose stools, oily flatulence, and soiling in many patients, depending on how well users comply with a low-fat diet.

Longer-term studies using orlistat's prescription-only form show that patients tend to gain back lost weight within two years.

The (FDA) panel conditioned their approval on company pledges to conduct longer-term studies on how orlistat is used once it is on the over-the-counter market. "

It's avaliale on gnc.com and it's expensive and I don't recommend it.  It blocks just enough fat to make you run to the bathroom, or suffer from gas with oily discharge.... Just cut your fat itake by 10% that is all the pill is going to do for you!

Actually it IS for people who need to lose a lot of weight.  Go to myalli.com and it will tell you everything you need to know.

I've been on Alli for a week now. No horrible side affects-no urgent trips to the bathroom. Eating what they suggest. I think you need to use the pill as a tool and not a miracle answer to weight-loss. Lost 6 pounds this week. Happy with the results.

Yes it is for people who have a lot to lose. No your body wont get the same amount of fat no matter how much you consume-give me a break. The more fat you eat the more you will store. Your body will get plenty of what it needs even if you take a fat blocker. I did a ton of research before starting the drug.

I've been using Alli for 2 weeks now with ABSOLUTELY NO SIDE-EFFECTS.  Some days my diet was fattier than others.  I tend to eat lots of healthy foods anyway however.  I had a slice of pizza and had no side-effects from that either.  Alli simply makes moderately fat items be low-fat.  And without using products that add more sugar to be "low-fat". 

I am about to go on another weeks of the abs diet which is a moderately low-fat, high protein diet.  My boyfriend wanted to join along so I am starting over with him.  It's such a great diet.  They even have low-fat ice cream shakes in the diet.  Your body just becomes a muscle-building fat-burner.  I suggest anyone to pick up the book at the bookstore and read through it.  It's a very quick read and all the recipes are on Men's Health website.

I would like to hear from more people who are having positive (or negative) results with Alli.  Please post your experiences with it. 

Mr. BIG ("Sex in the City" reference)- do you mind sharing your stats so we have a point of reference?  6lbs the first week could have been water weight but I'm hoping for you that it's a trajectory in the right direction.  Either way, please keep us updated on your progress with Alli.  I'm very interested.  Did you start a workout routine at the same time?  Good Luck!!!