Weight Loss Drug Goes OTC, Does it Work?
Reported May 28, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Dieters can now buy a formerly prescription-only weight loss drug over the counter. Makers of Alli, an over-the-counter dose of orlistat, say the fat blocker can help people lose more weight than dieting alone, but not everyone thinks it’s a good way to help folks shed pounds.
“I have a philosophical problem with just throwing a pill at this,” Florida Hospital physician George Guthrie, M.D., told Ivanhoe. The Orlando-based doctor advocates weight loss through lifestyle changes and formerly helped run a health clinic focused on vegetarian diets.
“What people really need is a change in their lifestyle,” Dr. Guthrie said. “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you got. It’s true that medication may be helpful, but it’s not the answer.”
“I think it’s a good thing,” Holly Wyatt, M.D., told Ivanhoe. The University of Colorado endocrinologist is medical director of The Center for Human Nutrition’s Weight Management Program, an obesity clinic at the school. She has used orlistat in her practice. She explained dieters can benefit from having over-the-counter access to Alli, which has been studied for safety and efficacy and approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“There are people out there spending lots of money on pills and herbs without the safety data, the research, to back it up,” Dr. Wyatt said.
Alli is a 60 milligram version of orlistat, which is still available as a prescription under the name Xenical. The medication can help with weight loss by decreasing the intestinal absorption of fat. It’s taken up to three times a day with each fat-containing meal. Because the drug can also block the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, doctors recommend those taking orlistat take a multivitamin.
The most common side effect of the medication is loose stools, which gets worse when more fat is consumed. The effect is delayed six to 12 hours after each meal.
“It’s a teaching tool,” said Dr. Wyatt. “I’ve had patients tell me they thought they were being healthy with their favorite salad from a restaurant, only to find out the next day there was more fat than they realized in that salad.”
There are some drug interactions consumers should be aware of. Those who have had an organ transplant should not take orlistat because of possible drug interactions. Blood thinners and certain diabetes medications can also interact with orlistat.
SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with George Guthrie, M.D., and Holly Wyatt, M.D.