The Poop On The New OTC Diet Pill Alli

There’s a new government-approved diet pill that’s flying off the shelves at drugstores now in the U.S. and here’s the bottom line:

Some will love it and some will find it’s crappy:

GlaxoSmithKline has a tip for people who decide to try Alli, the over-the-counter weight-loss drug it is launching with a multimillion-dollar advertising blitz—keep an extra pair of pants handy.

That’s because Alli, a lower-dose version of the prescription drug Xenical, could (cue the late-night talk-show hosts) make you soil your pants.

But while Alli’s most troublesome side effect, anal leakage, is sure to be good for a few laughs, millions of people who are desperate to take off weight may still decide the threat of an accident is worth it.

Dieters seek end results, but this may not be what they have in mind:

Unlike traditional diet pills, Alli, the first over-the-counter weight-loss product approved by the FDA, is not an appetite suppressant. Instead, it prevents the gastrointestinal system from absorbing about 25 percent of the fat a person consumes. If you eat more than the recommended 15 grams of fat at a meal, you may experience cramps and the uncontrollable escape of those extra fat grams….

…..While many nutritionists agree that Alli can help block the absorption of fat calories, they are careful to note that if people are not dedicated to changing their eating habits, weight loss will be small or nonexistent, and the side effects will eventually cause them to stop taking the drug. “For some people who are extremely motivated and don’t mind a little bit of leakage, this may work for them,” says Elisa Zied, a nutritionist from New York City. Zied is quick to add that Alli users should be sure to take a multivitamin every day, since the drug also decreases the absorption of fat-soluble minerals and vitamins such as E, A, D and K.

So what could be the result of this new diet pill?

Depends…

UPDATE: The pill is causing lots of movement….in media stories, that is. So here are a few:

Inconsistent Demand for Dieter’s Little Helper
New diet drug touches off a feeding frenzy
Smaller waistline vs. side effects – ‘Alli’ diet drug debuts
Experts wary of new diet pill
New weight-loss pill hits the market
‘Alli’ Hits Shelves In The Fight Against Flab
New drug alone won’t melt away the pounds