Alli 60mg Weight Loss Capsules

ALLI 

What is Alli?

Alli is a lower strength version of the prescription medication Orlistat. As it is low dose it is available over the counter without a prescription. We will need you to answer a few simple questions to allow our pharmacists to make sure it is the right medication for you to use.

Who can take Alli?

Alli can be used by individuals who are overweight, with a BMI >28. 

How does Alli work? 

The main component of Alli is the drug Orlistat. This works by inhibiting the enzyme lipase which is produced within the stomach and by the pancreas. Lipase breaks down fats to its constituent components, enabling them to be absorbed by the gut. If this process is prevented then the fats essentially pass straight through the digestive system without being absorbed, resulting in a reduction in calorie intake and, hopefully over time, weight loss. 

How often should Alli be taken? 

One 60mg capsule should be taken no more than three times a day. It can be taken immediately before, during, or up to one hour after a meal. If a meal is missed or contains no fat, the dose should be missed. 

Does that mean I don’t need to exercise or adjust my lifestyle? 

Alli is not a ‘miracle cure’. Diet and exercise go hand in hand with weight loss and exercise has many other added health benefits such as keeping the heart healthy and improving mental wellbeing. Ideally a diet and exercise programme should be started before treatment with Alli and should continue once treatment has stopped. 

It is important to have a mild calorie deficit, and an even distribution of carbohydrates, protein and fat over the three main meals. Ideally only 30% of the total daily calorie intake should come from fat. 

Does Alli really work? 

Alli is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, and they say that in clinical trials when used with a reduced calorie, lower fat diet, it can help people lose 50 percent more weight than dieting alone. 

The reality of the situation is that results will vary in different individuals. 

Is there anyone who should not take Alli?

You should not take Alli in the following situations

1. If you are taking the medication Ciclosporin.
2. If you have a problem with the normal flow of bile acids, a condition known as ‘cholestasis’. 
3. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 
4. If you have a problem with your digestive tract known as ‘malabsorption’ this can be caused by a variety of gastrointestinal conditions. 
5. If you are taking warfarin or any other blood thinning medication.
6. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients (see further down)

Other precautions

If you are taking any other medications such as:

• Thyroxine 
• Amiodarone
• The contraceptive pill 
• Anti-retroviral treatment for HIV 
• Epilepsy medication
• Antidepressants and Antipsychotics 

It is best to consult with a doctor as the absorption of these medications may be affected by Alli. 

In addition, if you are taking diabetic or blood pressure medication, Alli could improve the control of these conditions and a reduction in dose may be needed. It is best to let your doctor know so that this can be monitored.  

Because Alli causes fat not to be absorbed as well, it can also affect the absorption of the ‘fat soluble’ vitamins A, D, E and K. For this reason, it may be advisable to take a supplement of these vitamins at bedtime, they should not be taken at the same time as Alli. 

Does Alli have any side effects?

The majority effects are gastrointestinal and mild. However, flatulence, diarrhoea, flatus with discharge and faecal incontinence are potentially embarrassing yet common. As are oily stools, increased stool frequency, and abdominal pain. 

Rarely, an allergic reaction may occur which could be associated with a rash, tongue swelling, and difficulty breathing. This is a medical emergency and requires an immediate assessment by emergency medical services. 

Other rare side effects include: 

Liver failure:  the FDA in America have reported one U.S. case with Alli and 12 foreign cases with Xenical, which contains a higher dose of Orlistat, reported between April 1999 and August 2009 out of an estimated 40 million people worldwide who have used Xenical or Alli. 
Kidney failure: due to increased oxalate levels in the urine, frequency not known. 
Diverticulitis, pancreatitis, rectal bleeding and skin reactions, are other rare potential side effects. 

Does Alli have any other added benefits?

Reduction in the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

In the XENDOS study, which followed up over 30, 000 patients using either Orlistat or placebo, it was shown that 4-year use of orlistat reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 37% compared with placebo. 

Reduction in Blood Pressure.

A 2020 review of 27 randomized controlled trials found that weight loss induced by Orlistat use contributed to an associated decrease in blood pressure in overweight and obese subjects. (2)

Reduction in LDL and total cholesterol levels. 

A 2017 review of 33 randomized controlled trials concluded that Orlistat treatment slightly reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, with the level of reduction being more consistent in patients with greater body weight reduction and shorter duration of Orlistat treatment. (3)

How long should I take Alli for? 

Ideally a 3-month trial is recommended. At the end of this period a 5% reduction in weight would be considered a successful result. If this is not achieved then it may be worth considering if continuation of treatment is beneficial, by weighing up the side effects and any potential risks. 

(1)    https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/27/1/155/26587/XENical-in-the-Prevention-of-Diabetes-in-Obese
(2)    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29275922/
(3)    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28559211/