The weight loss drug Xenical sold as Orlistat or Alli is being investigated by the FDA in connection with a reported 32 cases of liver disease or liver failure by people taking the drug.

Those using the drug are advised to CEASE TAKING IT pending the results of the investigation.

I was alarmed to hear this because I was on Orlistat awhile back! I got a one month prescription from my Dr. but only took if for a few days because the non-severe side effects were too much for me- and now i'm very glad that i stopped!!!

Even only taking it for a few days i feel concerned and will mention it to my Dr. next time i see him.

See the full story here:

Xenical and Alli: Weight-Loss Drugs Under FDA Investigation for Link to Liver Failure, Liver Disease — Attorney At Law

This is what really worries me about society's obsession with pharmaceuticals. Even after mandatory FDA testing is done we don't fully understand long-term effects nor effects on a full demographic spread and under all possible variables.

health issues aside. I have tried alli in the past and did not experience the uncontrolled side effects that alli is known for and believe me there are alot. The side effects are on the extreme side of disgusting. everything from crapping your pants with no effort on your part to dripping oil out your backside that soaks right through every layer of clothes you have on. those are the mild effects.

The thing is alli suggests you keep your fat instake below 15g per meal to not have side effects. but if you can do that you dont need alli to begin with.

Hi Guys,

Wow this is scary stuff. I live in the UK and Alli has just been made available on general release over the counter so anyone, any age can buy it.

It is very worrying that something stated to be entirely risk free is now being investigated for such serious side effects. It is also worrying that if you Google Alli at the moment there is still no mention of this investigation so people will keep on buying it not knowing about this possible risk.

It all makes me very wary of any supplements other than herbal/natural ones.

Thanks for the info!

All the best,

Louise

Warning - mini-rant ahead.

Why do you think herbal/natural supplements are safer or better? Belladonna is an herb. It'll kill you. Poisonous mushrooms are natural. They'll kill you.

So many people think natural/herbal = safe and that's just not true.

IN fact, buying "natural" supplements and/or herbal supplements can do more harm than good because herbal supplements are not regulated. That means you have no idea of the concentration of herbs or plants or natural items that are used.

Don't play that mind game with yourself. Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's safe or better for you.

Omg I never knew the "mild" side effects could be that bad! Now i'm even happier i stopped taking it. Who could even stay on medication if that was an effect of it?

Evil weight loss pills. Healthy lifestyle is so the way to go!! I'm glad i didn't learn this the hard way

if you look up alli on amazon.com under the 120 count refill there is over 213 feedback talking about the side effects. its a fun read. everything from dont fart you will spray your underware with orange oil to blood in the stool.

the stuff works no doubt but the side effects are just gross imho.

dripping oil is something I don't want to ever have to experience, really
I tried them a while back and after a couple pills I was DONE!
sure the side effects vary from person to person but they are still evil. the reason you lose weight is because you live in the fear diet of having to use a diper if you ever eat something with fat again, not cool at all

I'm heading straight to my mechanic if that ever happens.

I tried Alli for a while, but I agree with the poster above who said that if you're already under 15g/fat a day you don't NEED Alli.

If you're eating enough fat to make Alli worth the money you pay for it, then you are going to have miserable side effects like panties stained with taco-sauce looking stuff....if you've cut your fat so low the side effects go away, the effect of the Alli becomes negligible and not worth the cost.

Hey all, no one said to stop taking it key word here is 'suspected' even the FDA advises people to continue taking it:

Orlistat (marketed as Alli and Xenical): Early Communication about an Ongoing Safety Review

In my opinion, if you eat healthy, you shouldn't even be taking this. The thing is that this claim is being investigated right now. You don't know if the drug caused the liver damage or if those 32 people could be morbidly obese and are prone to liver disease anyway. Chances are you're okay because Orlistat's a lipase inhibitor and doesn't get metabolized (but we won't know for sure until the investigation is complete).

one of the positive effects of alli that I have read numerous places is because since it cuts a certain amount of fat you eat and makes it not absorb into the body is lowered cholesterol. I guess it can drop your bad cholesterol quite alot.

You still need a multivitamin though at night and possibly an omega 3 supplement at night for some good fats. since alli will cut out the good fats too.

Hey, I've taken Alli for a loooong time and have never had any side effects. Ever.

WillLose

Did any of you see the movie Catseye? Where there's a bit where this guy joins a stop smoking plan, and part of it is if doesn't, they cut off his wife's pinky?

I guess I always thought the "if you're eat less than 15g/fat a day, you won't have side effects" part of Alli was like the threat. Eat better, or you'll crap your pants and it'll be your fault!!

It would certainly be motivation, I guess, but I wouldn't want to do it even without the fear of liver failure!

I've only had side effects 1 time and it was my own fault. I've tried EVERYTHING and until Xenical I couldn't loose weight.

The whole Liver damage thing is SOOOOOo stupid because obese people are prone to liver damage/problems so find me a skinny person who's taking the pills and having the problems and I'll believe it.