Diet pill orlistat is the only authorized obesity diet pill on the market. Orlistat is prescribed as Xenical while the over-the-counter version is Alli. Orlistat works by inhibating lipase, the enzyme in charge of digesting fat located in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the body is unable to absorb the fat it consumes. To ensure the body’s balance, only twenty-five percent of the ingested fat is blocked from absorption.
Xenical is the brand prescribed by doctors for obese patients. The Xenical brand is a household name, a well-known weight loss drugs in the European and American medicine markets. Obese individuals without a prescription note can opt for Alli, which is orlistat’s over-the-counter alternative. Xenical has a larger amount of orlistat, measuring 60 mg while Xenical has 120 mg. Despite their different amounts, both are taken three times a day.
The smaller dose indicates Alli users will experience milder side effects compared to Xenical. Although Alli has milder side effects, Xenical is reputed as the more effective weight loss drug. Xenical not only reduces weight but also prevents diabetes for prone obese patients.
Alli and Xenical both require their consumers to have a body mass index (BMI) equal or higher than 30 kg/m2 (US measurement) or 28 kg/m2 (European measurement). Individuals with a BMI greater than 28 kg/m2 (European measurement) or greater than 27 kg/m2 (US measurement) and a family history of type 2 diabetes can also take Xenical or Alli.
Both Xenical and Alli are only effective when taken with a low-calorie diet. Unhealthy and fatty foods will only cancel out the effects of orlistat. If you are still too lazy to eat properly, keep in mind that the fat taken increases the drug’s side effects. Orlistat’s known side effects are diarrhea, loose oily stools, and flatulence.