Alli Lawsuits

The over-the-counter weight loss drug Alli, which contains orlistat, has been linked with reports of serious and potentially life-threatening liver damage. In August 2009, the FDA initiate a safety review of the potential Alli side effects to determine if there is a direct relationship between reports of liver injury and diet drugs containing orlistat.

ALLI LAWSUIT STATUS: Product liability lawyers are monitoring the FDA investigation into potential problems to determine whether users may be entitled to compensation through an Alli liver damage lawsuit.

MANUFACTURER: GlaxoSmithKline, PLC.

OVERVIEW: Alli (orlistat 60mg) is a lower dose, over-the-counter version of the prescription weight-loss drug Xenical (orlistat 120mg). It was approved by the FDA in 2007 for use in overweight adults in conjunction with a reduced calorie and low-fat diet. The drug works by preventing the absorption of fats, thereby reducing caloric intake.

Alli generated sales of $131 million during its first full year on the market. Known side effects of Alli include oily and loose stools, fecal incontinence, frequent or urgent bowel movements and flatulence, which tend to be most severe when the treatment is started and may decrease with time.

ALLI LIVER SIDE EFFECTS: The FDA has received 32 reports of serious liver damage possibly connected to the use of orlistat-based drugs like Alli and Xenical. These reports included six cases of liver failure and 27 of the incidents resulted in hospitalization. The most commonly reported liver problems with Alli and Xenical were a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes known as jaundice, weakness and abdominal pain.

The FDA issued an early communication on August 24, 2009, indicating that they were reviewing this new safety information, but no definite association between liver injury and Alli or other orlistat drugs has been established. The FDA is currently recommended that consumers continue using Alli as directed.

Anyone using Alli should contact their health care professional if they experience symptoms of liver injury, including:

• Weakness or fatigue
• Fever
• Jaundice
• Brown Urine

Tags: Alli, Diet Drug, Orlistat, Weight Loss Pill