Concerns About Anti Obesity Drug Orlistat

Tue, 01 Sep 2009
American authorities are investigating concerns that the anti obesity drug Orlistat can cause liver damage .

Orlistat is on sale here under the brand name Alli and you do not need a prescription here in the UK.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received more than 30 reports relating the drug to serious liver injury.

The pill works by blocking the fat absorption in the body and is deemed to be an option for diabetics with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 or more.

Orlistat is also available on prescription as Xenical.

Clinical trials suggest that adding Orlistat to a low calorie, low fat diet, can enable people to lose 50 per cent more weight than by dieting alone.

The FDA has stated that it is reviewing the safety of the drug, however, it stressed that no definite association with liver damage has been established at this stage.

The European Medicines Agency stated that there are no plans underfoot to alter the product information, however, the situation is being reviewed.

The manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline stated there is no evidence to prove the drug causes liver damage.

It is important for those taking Orlistat to monitor their situation. It is necessary should they experience possible symptoms of liver injury like jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), appetite loss or nausea, to contact their GP.

Link to this page

Copy and Paste the following HTML into your page.