The drug is a half-dose version of the Roche prescription drug Xenical which works by reducing the amount of fat the body absorbs from food. Undigested fat is eliminated in bowel movements. GSK’s Alli works in the same way, which can lead to “treatment effects” such as gas, oily stools and an urgent need to go to the bathroom.
Adding Alli to diet and exercise can help people lose 50% more weight than with dieting alone, according to the company. The product is sold with an action plan which encourages patients to stick to a low-fat diet. A diet low in fat also lessens the treatment effects.
The drug is priced at approximately 60 cents a capsule or $1.80 per day. The recommended dose is one 60mg orlistat (the active ingredient in Alli) capsule, three times a day, with meals containing fat.
Steven Burton, vice president of Weight Control at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, said: “Alli is not for people looking for miracle pills and overnight results. It offers consumers a proven, safe, over-the-counter option to help them lose weight gradually.”