Alli hits the stores

The first non-prescription diet drug ever to be approved by the FDA hit the shops this week and optimistic dieters are dashing out to buy it.

The new diet pill, Alli which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) works by blocking the absorption of fat by the body which is then eliminated by way of the bowels.

The drug does have some unpleasant side-effects such as oily bowel movements, loose stools and the possibility of leakage, along with gas.

A months supply of Alli will set you back US$60 and GSK recommends the best results will be achieved when no more than 15 grams of fat per meal are eaten while taking the drug.

Alli is not recommended for people younger than 18, people with kidney disease, or people on blood thinners.

In a study, Alli taken in conjunction with a good diet, offered an additional 5% of weight loss when compared to somebody following a good diet without taking the drug.

Only 20% of people who use Alli can expect to lose 10% or more of their body weight and many will lose very little weight and possibly suffer the embarrassing gastrointestinal side effects.

Unlike other prescription weight-loss drugs Alli does not induce a feeling of fullness, reduce cravings or curb the appetite; what it does do is prevent the body from breaking down and absorbing fat.

The active ingredient in Alli, orlistat is also found in the prescription diet drug Xenical but in a higher dosage.

While Alli blocks around 25% of the fat eaten, Xenical blocks one-third of the fat ingested.

In real terms 2,000 calories a day with about 30% fat, would translate to about 150 calories a day with Alli.

A pound of weight loss equates to 3,500 calories.

Limiting fat intake to 15 grams a meal will help avoid the side-effects - .most Americans consume 80 to 100 grams of fat a day.

Glaxo officials do admit that many people would lose weight on their own with a reduction in fat intake, but say that Alli helps people lose more weight.

Doctors say most people are eating far more fat than they realize and the case with most dieters is that are unable to sustain the weight loss.

Orlistat has been widely tested and about 50% of the people who use orlistat lose at least 5% of their body weight; only one out of five people who take the drug lose at least 10% of their body weight, according to Glaxo.

Experts say even small amounts of weight loss offer health benefits.