Alli: Is This New Diet Drug A Digestive System Foe?

Alli, the much hyped miracle weight loss drug that is now available over the counter may not be such a "miracle" after all. On the eve of it's retail debt, experts nationwide are debating its long-term efficacy and more importantly its safety. News reports are all over the internet filled with warnings, some even urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rethink its approval as the first bottles are about to be purchased.

FDA approval of the weight-loss drug Alli for over-the-counter (OTC) sale — the prescription dose version is Xenical (generic name orlistat) — has raised some heavyweight questions, according to a Revolution Health report.

Among the harshest warnings came from Public Citizen's director, Sidney Wolfe who "strongly urged people not to use this drug.”

Wolfe actively petitioned the FDA against approval of Alli. “There’s no evidence of long-term benefits, and [there are] many short-term risks” including gastrointestinal problems, oily spotting and oily gas, and a serious risk of vitamin deficiency. Wolfe also points to several studies that showed the drug can lead to precancerous lesions in the colon."

This is scary news for me, a Gastro Girl concerned with your digestive health. But I'm not surprised by the claims the drug can cause gastrointestinal problems given how it works in the body. See Alli prevents fat from being absorbed in the intestine--so around 30 percent of the fat you won't be absorbed. Now, where will that fat go? Yep. You'll excrete it as waste. So it makes sense that over time your poor intestines will feel the burn as this fat will likely cause excessive diarrhea. So it's no wonder the studies showed the drug could lead to precancerous lesions in the colon.

Now, I'm not an expert, but I do feel an obligation to share the digestive side of things here. I am concerned that this drug--which is designed for the obese (body mass index, or BMI, greater than 30), overweight(BMI greater than 27) or those with additional heart disease risk factors--will be abused by those who want to shrink down to model size and see the drug as an easy way to skinny jeans.

My other concern is some may actually eat more fatty foods thinking that Alli will block most of the fat. No, Alli isn't a ticket to fried, folks!

Seriously, my aim isn't to tell you what to do. I just want to present the facts so you are aware of the risks and the benefits of this new drug. I worry about your gastro health--and I don't want anyone to needlessly endure digestive distress.

Please read all the research, talk to your doctor and make an informed decision before you make Alli your ally. This drug could turn out to be your foe.

Check out this excluisve Revolution Health report, "Is Alli All It Claims to be For Weight Loss?"

I will follow up with some insight from some Gastro docs soon so stay tuned.