New Diet Drug's Side Effects May Cause Discomfort

June 11, 2007 (KABC-TV) (KABC) -- There's a new diet drug about to hit the market this week. It's called "Alli" but some critics say it could be your worst enemy!

The first FDA-approved over-the-counter weight-loss product will hit store shelves June 15th.

It's half the strength of its prescription predecessor Xenical, but experts say the new version may pack the same side effects if you eat too much fat.

When Helen Tavoukjian was taking the prescription diet pill Xenical, eating an entire bag of buttered popcorn was out of the question.

Tavoukjian: "It gets very embarassing -- sometimes you would have to run directly to the restroom."

Xenical works by blocking fat.

Dr. Jack DerSarkissian of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center: "So when you eat fat it goes through your intestines. Xenical competes against it and it just comes right out of your system."

Now this fat-blocking pill will be sold over the counter under the name "Alli."

It can be your "Alli" if you need to lose a lot of weight, but it can also be your worst enemy if you continue to eat fat-filled meals.

Dr. Jack DerSarkissian: "They can expect to have gas problems, diarrhea, abdominal pain, oily stools and probably most embarrassing they might have the inability to control those stools from coming out."

Besides blocking fat, Alli also blocks the absorption of key nutrients. So patients may need to supplement.

Dr. DerSarkissian: "If you don't get those vitamins inside of you for a long period of time, that can cause some major problems."

While the anticipation of this new diet drug is high, Dr. DerSarkissian says many have unrealistic expectations of what this pill can do. Studies show Xenical helps, but the drug alone doesn't cause tremendous amounts of weight loss.

Helen Tavoukjian feels the most important aspect of the drug is that it's a deterrent. "That made me avoid high fatty foods, hamburgers, french fries and milkshakes. It's a lot of hard work. You have to eat right, exercise. If you don't eat right and exercise, Xenical is not going to work. It's just taking it for no reason."

Besides blocking nutrients, doctors say Alli can also have dangerous interactions if taken with blood-thinning medications and anti-rejection drugs.

Alli must be taken before meals.

A month's supply will run between $60-$70. You have to be 18 years of age to purchase it.

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