Is Liver Damage an Alli Side Effect

Alli was first approved by the FDA in 2007, but Xenical received approval in 1999. Xenical is two times stronger the dose of Alli. The FDA’s Drug Safety Oversight Board first started looking into the potential side effect link of Alli to liver damage back in April. They have not been able to confirm any connection at this point.

The Board is continuing to review details of the cases to determine if there is an Alli side effect connection to liver damage. The FDA advises people to continue to take the drugs as directed until further notice.

They also advise those taking the drugs to consult with their physician if they show any possible symptoms to liver damage. The common symptoms of liver damage are fever, brown urine, fatigue, light-colored stools, nausea and vomiting.

Part of the problem in trying to determine if there is a connection of the drug Alli and liver damage is that the drug is used by people trying to loose weight. Typically those that are obese are at a greater risk for liver problems. This makes the FDA’s task of confirming if an Alli’s side effect is liver damage.

Alli is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. Last year’s sales of Alli were $123 million.

The weight loss drug industry has been plagued with issues of the drugs marketed to those trying to loose weight causing medical issue. Now there is some questions as to if the only FDA approved over-the-counter weight loss drug is safe. Even though no definite link has been made; the question out there now is if liver damage is an Alli side effect?

Written by Denise Clay