News June 2007

New diet pill hits store shelves; experts warn of side effects, misuse

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- For two years, George Hegedus has avoided expensive diet plans and made it to the gym barely three times a week. At 270 pounds, the Coconut Creek, Fla., resident said he needs something to help combat the fat calories.

So when alli, the first federally approved over the counter diet pill, hit South Florida drugstore shelves Thursday, he drove to a Walgreens store on his lunch hour and bought a starter pack: 90 pills at $59.99.

"I hope it helps take calories off, but it's not a magic pill," said Hegedus, 42, a structural engineer.

South Florida drugstores reported growing consumer interest in the new diet pill, which is being rolled out nationwide this week with an unprecedented $150 million marketing campaign. Although the drug has been available at greater strength by prescription since 1999, this is the first time it is available over the counter to overweight adults.

The pill works by blocking about 25 percent of the body's absorption of fat in the digestive system by attaching to natural enzymes that would otherwise break down fat.

Alli's London-based manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, recommends taking it along with a low-fat diet and exercise. Consumers who don't stick to a low-fat diet can experience some unpleasant side effects, such as oily discharge, diarrhea and gas.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the pill in February, at half the strength of its prescription version, sold under the name Xenical. GlaxoSmithKline is promoting the pill with books, a TV commercial and educational CDs.

Drugstore representatives said many consumers were putting in pre-orders for the drug before it hit the shelves Thursday.

"We've been getting a lot of calls and we've taken a number of pre-orders through the Web site," said Carol Hively, a spokeswoman for Walgreens. "We expect this to be a big product."

But dieticians and pharmacists say that, despite the buzz, it does not change the classic formula for weight loss: eating less and moving more.

Jan Schuman, a pharmacist at Boca Pharmacy, said the key to losing weight is behavior modification.

"I'm on a diet now. I'm exercising and can do without alli," Schuman said. "I don't eat that much fat."

Schuman said taking alli and having a high calorie intake is like diabetics eating sugary foods and injecting more insulin into their bodies. He urges people not to "play a game" with themselves by thinking the pill will solve their problem, and instead focus on a good diet and exercise.

GlaxoSmithKline mailed fliers and educational material to drugstores, but Schuman said he has not heard from the company on counseling those who buy alli.

Some dieticians said alli could help many people who need to lose weight but do not succeed on their own by eating fewer calories and exercising more.

"I think it could be helpful if used properly," said dietician Susan Burke, a spokeswoman for the Florida Dietetic Association. "Food is very important to some people and they need an aid or can use an aid to get them started toward a lifetime of healthy eating."

Alli can also discourage people from eating too much fat because its side effects tend to strike those getting more than 30 percent of their total calories from fat, Burke said.

Heather Fisher, a Florida State University dietician and a member of the Florida Dietetic Association, said she is concerned about the nearly 200 students with weight and body-image issues she sees monthly.

She worries that without supervision, some young women might abuse the drug in overzealous attempts to lose weight.

"Over-the-counter lends itself to misuse," Fisher said.

Some people should not take alli at all, including those with problems absorbing food, gallbladder disorders, certain kidney problems, organ transplants or who are pregnant or breast-feeding a child. Customers taking medicine for diabetes or thyroid should consult a doctor first. Consumers also are advised to talk to their doctors before starting alli to make sure it will not interfere with other drugs they take, such as cyclosporine.

While the drug was tested in children as young as 12, the Authorties has restricted alli sales only to people over 18, who will have to show ID to buy it.

Hegedus said he wants to see how he feels after using the pill for a month. His goal: lose 25 pounds, cut down on food and get time away from his work and kids to use the L.A. Fitness key ring card he carries in his pocket.

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