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Newest diet drug is no 'magic pill'
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Weight loss requires a change in lifestyle
By Diane Chun
Dieters, have you tried Alli?
The first over-the-counter diet drug, pronounced al-EYE and approved by the Food and Drug Administration, has been on store shelves since June. Displays in pharmacies and supermarkets are hard to miss.
The maker of Alli, GlaxoSmithKline, has invested $100 million for the right to sell this lower-powered version of the prescription drug Xenical. The firm's marketing campaign will cost another $150 million.
It's interesting that the campaign pitches Alli as part of an overall lifestyle change which, if you follow it, will allow you to lose weight. That means making a commitment to eating better and exercising more. So in case you were wondering, it's not as simple as swallowing a pill three times a day before meals.
The manufacturer says that Alli users can expect to lose an average of 10 pounds in a year. A box of 90 capsules, a one-month supply, sells for about $60.
Alli is getting plenty of media attention. Most of it comes as a result of its side effects, which can range from gas to an oily discharge to uncontrollable bowel movements.
The Alli informational brochure describes the oily discharge that may follow a fatty meal by saying, "You may recognize it as something that looks like the oil on top of a pizza."
You may also want to tuck a spare pair of undies in your purse or briefcase when you leave for work in the morning.
Caroline Apovian is the Boston physician who wrote "The Alli Diet Plan," and she says it's possible to minimize problems by eating low-fat foods. The drug works by blocking the digestive enzyme lipase, which aids in fat absorption.
But many a pharmacist will tell you, that folks making inquiries about Alli mostly don't like what they hear.
"If people begin taking Alli with the hopes that it is a 'magic pill,' they're setting themselves up for disappointment," said Christie Matkozich of Gainesville Health & Fitness Center in Gainesville, Fla.
Don't look for dramatic results unless you are already following a well-balanced diet and exercise plan, Matkozich adds.
The company offers more information about the new drug on a Web site, myalli.com, saying that you will lose more weight than by dieting alone if you do everything right.
And you may suffer some embarrassing side effects if you don't.
Source: Worcester Telegram & GazetteAll rights reserved.