Non-prescription Diet Pill Approved By FDA

Jamie Sheller

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A reduced-strength version of the prescription fat-blocking drug Xenical, has been approved by the FDA. The OTC diet pill, which will be named Alli, is supposed to be used by adults, with diet and exercise for weight loss. According to Dr. Charles Ganley, of the FDA, "Using this drug alone is unlikely to be beneficial." This diet pill works by blocking the absorption of about a fourth of consumed fat, when taken with meals. Loose stools and oily spotting are the most common side effects of the drug. In clinical trials, about one half of the patients experienced gastrointestinal side effects. Xenical is made by Roche Holding AG, while Alli will be sold by GlaxoSmithKline. The price of Alli will likely be between $1 and $2 per day, with 5 million to 6 million people expected to buy the OTC drug.