Get Informed: Alli
Active Ingredient(s)
Orlistat
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of obesity in conjunction with diet to produce weight loss. It works by blocking the body_s ability to absorb fats from the diet.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 7:59 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Xenical
- Alli
- Orlistat
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 23 Apr 1999
- Est US Patients*
- 248,800
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Alli or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Alli Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Alli interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Alli used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 1,400 patients that use Alli (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Loss | 63% | 
|
| High Triglycerides | 6% |
|
| Constipation | 3% |
|
| Other | 34% |
|
How well does Alli work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 1,400 users taking Alli (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 57%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Alli outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Alli.
Common Side Effects of Alli
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 1,400 users taking Alli (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
63% of patients experience side-effects on Alli
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Alli
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Diarrhea
-
Gas/Flatulence
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Alli (Orlistat) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been using Alli for two months and so far, as long as I stick to the recommended 15 grams of fat or less per meal, I've had no side effects. My weight is going down slowly.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-14 21:12:20
Question/Comment:
As Alli is expensive,I thought I would only take it when a meal contained fat. Would I still have weight loss?
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-09 03:57:07
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Yes, you would most likely experience weight loss if you used Alli in this way. In fact, the manufacturer recommends that if a meal contains no fat, to skip the dose.
Posted: 2009-08-09 21:44:29
Question/Comment:
how should i feel after taking xanecal for 1 week. i do not go to the bath room and i have a loot of gas is this normal
32 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-30 17:20:26
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Approximately 23% of patients taking Xenical reported gas as a side effect of the medication. Only 11% of patients reported increased stools while taking Xenical. The side effects will vary - each patient may experience different side effects. Side effects may depend on the type and amount of food you eat, as well as your bowel patterns before starting the Xenical. You should talk to your doctor about any side effects you are experiencing especially if they worsen.
Posted: 2009-07-30 23:02:40
Question/Comment:
I bleed heavily while taking Xenical.
38 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-09 13:41:44
Question/Comment:
I'm a nusing mother, can I use orlistat 120 ml. in order to lose weight that I have gained during pregnancy. pls advice!
29 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-28 20:35:52
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
It is not known is Orlistat is excreted in human milk, therefore it should not be used by nursing mothers.
Posted: 2009-01-12 11:25:15
Answer/Reply:
Everything that you ingest is filtered through your breast milk and will wind up in the baby's body. The answer is NO, do not use this while breastfeeding. There is plenty of time to lose the weight once you stop nursing. In addition, nursing happens to be the body's way of naturally aiding you in losing the pregnancy pounds, just check with your doctor.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-23 06:52:33
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
16
Patient Comments about
Alli