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alli Frequently Asked Questions

view answers about the alli program.


[ 14 questions ]Frequently Asked Questions
  1. is alli safe?

    alli has been approved by the FDA as safe and effective when taken according to label directions.

    Taken at mealtime, alli works by blocking the absorption of ¼ of the fat in the foods you eat. alli is nonsystemically acting, which means it does not affect the central nervous system (CNS) and has no effect on the heart or the brain.

    The safety and efficacy of Orlistat are both well established. A higher dose of Orlistat has been marketed as the prescription drug Xenical in the U.S. since 1999 and is supported by nine years of use in 145 countries. Orlistat experience in more than 25 million patient treatments and more than 100 clinical studies with more than 30,000 patients is unprecedented for a weight loss drug. One of these studies was the four-year landmark XENDOS trial conducted by its manufacturer, Roche. This study is the longest study ever conducted for a weight-loss drug.

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  2. does alli cause liver injury?

    alli is a safe and effective weight loss product. Orlistat, the active ingredient in alli, is the most studied weight loss medicine in the world, with safety established in more than 100 clinical studies involving more than 30,000 patients. These studies have not shown any liver changes compared to placebo, that is, in overweight people not taking Orlistat.

    Because of the way alli works, there is no reason to believe it affects the liver. It works locally in the digestive tract so that very little (less than 2%) is absorbed in the blood.

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  3. how does alli work?

    alli works by inhibiting some of the body’s absorption of dietary fat. Taken at meal times, it works by blocking the absorption of about 25% of fat in the foods you eat. Because of the way it works, alli must be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet containing about 15 grams of fat per meal. Eating a meal with too much fat while taking alli can result in bowel changes, such as loose stools, more frequent stools that may be hard to control, or gas with oily spotting. These changes, called treatment effects, may occur in the first weeks of treatment, are not harmful and can generally be managed by following a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet that does not exceed 15 grams of fat per meal.

    alli works in the gut; it is nonsystemically acting, which means it does not affect the central nervous system (CNS) and has no effect on the heart or the brain. Some weight-loss drugs and supplements that are systemically absorbed can be associated with CNS side effects (e.g., seizure, stroke and anxiety) or systemic side effects (e.g., heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure and heart problems). alli, a nonsystemic weight-loss aid, is not associated with these side effects, and its safety and efficacy are well established.

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  4. what are the side effects of alli?

    Most side effects are related to the way you take the product and how much fat you consume when taking alli. Not everyone experiences GI side effects (or “treatment effects”), but they can be manageable when you follow a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet.

    All drugs can have side effects and you should check with your doctor if anything unusual or severe occurs when using any weight-loss product. In controlled trials, only about 5% of subjects on alli dropped out due to treatment effects. In fact, anecdotally, many users have told us that treatment effects served as a signal that helped them adopt healthier eating patterns.

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  5. who can take alli?

    alli can be taken by overweight individuals age 18 or older who are ready to make the change to a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. But, as with all medicines, there are some people who should not take alli or who need to check with their doctor first, so it is important to review the label before purchasing alli.

    alli has been studied in ethnically diverse populations and has been proven safe and effective for all populations regardless of gender, race and initial weight. Data shows that alli plus diet is always significantly better than diet alone.

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  6. how effective is alli?

    alli works by blocking the absorption of about 25% of fat in the foods you eat, leading to a 5% to 10% weight loss over time. alli met the rigorous FDA standards for a weight-loss aid. Clinical trials with alli have consistently shown it to be more effective than diet alone. alli can help people lose 50% more weight than with dieting alone. This means that if you could lose 10 pounds with a diet, you could lose 15 pounds working with alli.

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  7. how effective is the alli program?

    With alli, you can lose about 50% more weight than with just dieting alone. That means if you could lose 10 pounds through dieting alone, you could lose 15 with alli.

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  8. how does the alli program work?

    alli® is the only FDA-approved, over-the-counter weight-loss aid. But it’s more than just a pill. It’s an innovative weight-loss program.

    The pill works by preventing your body from absorbing some of the fat you eat. The active ingredient in alli attaches to some of the natural enzymes in the digestive system and prevents absorption of about a quarter of the fat you eat. Undigested fat cannot be absorbed and passes through the body naturally. Because alli works only in your digestive tract, it will not affect your heart or brain so you will not experience any racing heart or jitteriness.

    Along with the capsule, the alli program supplies you with a wealth of education, advice and support.

    Read about some of the support you’ll receive with alli
    Take a tour of alli in action in the digestive system.

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  9. how much weight can I expect to lose?

    That depends on how closely you follow a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet, get regular physical activity and take alli capsules as directed. alli promotes gradual, modest weight loss of about 1 to 2 pounds a week. If you could lose 10 pounds through dieting, you could lose 15 with alli. Results for each individual may vary.

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  10. how long can I take alli?

    The alli label does not limit the amount of time you can take alli. You can take it until you achieve the success you want with weight loss. Most weight loss occurs within the first 6 months of using alli.

    If you stop taking alli capsules, continue with your diet and exercise program to help maintain your weight. If you start to regain weight after you stop taking the capsules, you may need to start taking them again along with a diet and exercise program.

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  11. is Xenical® the same as alli?

    Xenical® and alli contain the same active ingredient (Orlistat), but they are not the same. The products have different indications and dosages. Xenical, manufactured by Roche, is prescription Orlistat, a 120 mg capsule indicated for the treatment of obesity in patients who require the supervision of a physician.

    alli is 60 mg Orlistat, an over-the-counter weight-loss aid for overweight adults who follow a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. As an FDA-approved OTC aid, alli puts the consumer in control by offering a proven OTC weight-loss aid with comprehensive support.

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  12. how soon after taking alli capsules should I expect to see results?

    If you follow a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet, get regular physical activity and take alli capsules as directed, you should see results in the first two weeks. Most weight loss usually occurs within the first six months. If you stop using alli, continue with a diet and exercise program for help with weight loss. You may start to regain weight after you stop taking alli. In order to maintain your weight loss, you may need to continue taking alli along with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet.

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  13. how do I know if alli is appropriate for my current weight and height?

    To see if alli capsules are right for you, find your height on the chart to the right. You should only start a weight-loss program with alli if your weight is the same or more than the weight shown for your height.

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  14. what can I eat on the alli program?

    When you partner with the alli program, you’ll be able to eat meals that are both healthy and delicious. With the help of our healthy eating guide and interactive meal planner, you’ll find yourself indulging in flavorful meals and snacks every day of the week. And that’s important, because part of your success depends on how well you follow a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet while taking alli capsules as directed.

    The alli program is not about starvation or deprivation; so while it’s important to limit choices that are high in fat and/or calories, you will find that you can still enjoy many of your favorite foods in moderation.

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