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It would be the first FDA-approved weight
loss pills aid for sale without a prescription. Its chemical
name is orlistat, but many people know it as Xenical. FDA
approval of a non-prescription version could make it very
desirable to consumers. But one consumer advocacy group says
the risks associated with the drug far outweigh the benefits.
So, you want to have weight.loss There's no shortage of products
promising to help you do that and no shortage of consumers
willing to take them.
Now, there is talk of a new diet pill, one that will have
the federal government's approval, a first in an over-the-counter
diet drug.
The diet
pills waiting to debut is currently a prescription drug
called Xenical, but if the government gives the OK it will
be sold on store shelves under the name Alli and will have
half the strength of Xenical.
"It's a pretty safe medication. That's probably the reason
they are going to consider over the counter," said Dr.
Reed Berger, nutrition specialist, UIC Medical Center.
Xenical works by blocking the body from absorbing about 30
percent of dietary fat. It has has been around since 1999
but has not been a blockbuster drug. People don't' lose a
massive amount of weight-- only about 7 to 15 pounds a year.
And then there's the embarrassing side effects. Overeating
fatty foods can result in severe gas, diarrhea and even incontinence.
"It kinda curbs my appetite for wanting something greasy,"
said Cynthia Chamberlain, weight loss patient.
"Like all medication as phentermine
, didrex etc work out there for weight loss, nothing is strong
enough now to help people lose a significant amount weight
without proper diet and exercise," said Berger.
Dr. Berger says the value of this pill is that it's generally
safe for people who are on medications to take. But she worries
patients who take the over-the-counter version won't do well
without a physician. Glaxo says it is providing all kinds
of support, including a 250-page diet advice booklet and access
to an online nurse.
The medical director for Glaxo says, "This is a drug
that has been used by 22 million people in 145 countries and
it's been used safely." She also adds there is plenty
of research showing there is no link to colon cancer. Glaxo
hopes to have Alli on store shelves by the end of the year.
Source: http://abclocal.go.com
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