Slimming Drug Investigated over liver damage claim

Western Mail. 26 August, 2009.

GlaxoSmithKline are the makers of the weight loss pill "Orlistat" (known as "Xenical" on prescription or "Alli", now available over the counter).

This article noted that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing 30 reports of serious liver damage, in people who have been taking the drug, 6 of which resulted in organ failure. GSK, of course, are trying to reassure users that there is no connection to liver damage.

I don't know if there is any connection between Orlistat and liver damage - I welcome the FDA review, so that this can be determined through investigation. One of the many functions of the liver, however, is to manage the removal of waste products and Orlistat does have quite an impact on waste product management...

Orlistat works on the basis that fat is not digested by the body until it reaches the colon. So Alli/Xenical tries to ensure that any fat rushes through the colon and into the toilet, before it can be digested at all. You can probably work out the key downside already – some people reportedly don’t even make it to the toilet before the tablet works! The product information advises wearing dark trousers and carrying a spare change of clothes. Nice!

It is so sad that people are so desperate to slim that they will try something with such embarrassing side effects before trying something as simple as eating real food and nothing but real food. i.e. The Harcombe Diet.

Keep an eye out for the FDA conclusions and so will I.

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