alli program | use and dosage | safety and drug interactions | treatment effects or adverse events
dietary fat and alli | ingredients | obesity and BMI | myalliplan | miscellaneous
Questions
- how does alli work?
- who can take alli?
- can children use alli?
- how should alli be taken?
- is Xenical® the same as alli?
- when do I take alli?
- if I eat more than 3 meals a day, should additional doses of alli be taken?
- if I use alli more than 3 times daily, will I experience better results?
- how long can I take alli?
- can a person drink alcohol while taking alli?
- what should a woman do if she becomes pregnant while taking alli?
- what happens if alli is taken with a fat-free meal?
- how do I best pick a starting date to begin taking alli?
- i don't like to eat breakfast. Can I just pass on that meal?
- is there a waiting limit between taking 2 capsules?
- is dieting necessary while taking alli?
- can alli be used with diets that are low in carbohydrates and high in fat?
- what happens if I forget to take alli capsules?
- does alli begin to work in the stomach, or does it begin to work in the small or large intestines?
Answers
1. how does alli work?
alli works by inhibiting some of the body's absorption of dietary fat. Taken at meal times, it works by blocking the absorption of about 25% of fat in the foods you eat. Because of the way it works, alli must be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet containing about 15 grams of fat per meal. Eating a meal with too much fat while taking alli can result in bowel changes, such as loose stools, more frequent stools that may be hard to control, or gas with oily spotting. These changes, called treatment effects, may occur in the first weeks of treatment, are not harmful, and can generally be managed by following a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet with about 15 grams of fat per meal.
alli works in the gut; it is non-systemically acting, which means it does not affect the central nervous system (CNS) and has no effect on the heart or the brain. Some weight loss drugs and supplements that are systemically absorbed can be associated with CNS side effects (e.g., seizure, stroke, and anxiety) or systemic side effects (e.g., heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, and heart problems). alli, a non-systemic weight loss product, is not associated with these side effects, and its safety and efficacy are well established.
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2. who can take alli?
alli is not for everyone. alli offers individuals who are ready and committed to make the lifestyle changes necessary for safe, realistic, and sustained weight loss, with the added incentive to lose more than with diet alone. It can be taken by overweight individuals age 18 or older who are committed to adhering to a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. But, as with all medicines, there are some people who should not take alli or who need to check with the doctor first, so it is important to review the label before purchasing alli.
alli has been studied in ethnically diverse populations and has been proven safe and effective for all populations regardless of gender, race, and initial weight. Data shows that alli plus diet is always significantly better than diet alone.
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3. can children use alli?
No. alli is indicated for use by overweight individuals 18 years of age or older.
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4. how should alli be taken?
The recommended dose of alli is 1 capsule 3 times a day with meals containing fat. Additionally, to ensure adequate vitamin absorption, those taking alli should also take a multivitamin once a day, at bedtime, because alli may reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, K, and beta-carotene).
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5. is Xenical® the same as alli?
Xenical® and alli contain the same active ingredient (orlistat), but they are not the same. The products have different indications and dosages. Xenical, manufactured by Roche, is prescription orlistat, a 120 mg capsule indicated for the treatment of obesity in patients who require the supervision of a physician.
alli is 60 mg orlistat, an over-the-counter weight loss product for overweight adults who follow a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. As an FDA approved OTC product, alli puts the consumer in control by offering a proven OTC weight loss product with comprehensive support.
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6. when do I take alli?
The mealtime dosing schedule (one hour before, during, or one hour after a meal) makes it easy to remember alli capsules. To help you remember, we recommend making alli a part of your pre-meal routine. Once alli and the routine have been paired several times, the association will become automatic. However, if a dose is missed, alli can be taken up to one hour after a meal and still be effective. The alli Shuttle™ carrying case is provided with the alli starter pack to enhance compliance and serve as a helpful reminder to take alli capsules with your meals.
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7. if I eat more than 3 meals a day, should additional doses of alli be taken?
It is recommended that alli be taken with meals — up to 3 times a day. Additional doses are not recommended.
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8. if I use alli more than 3 times daily, will I experience better results?
No. Dose ranging studies show that it is unlikely that higher doses will provide better results. Additional doses are not recommended.
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9. how long can I take alli?
The alli label does not limit the amount of time you can take alli. You can take it until you achieve the success you want with weight loss. Most weight loss occurs within the first 6 months of using alli.
If you stop taking alli capsules, continue with your diet and exercise program to help maintain your weight. If you start to regain weight after you stop taking the capsules, you may need to start taking them again along with a diet and exercise program.
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10. can a person drink alcohol while taking alli?
Yes. There is no interaction between alli and alcohol. However, alcohol is high in calories. It can, therefore, contribute to weight gain.
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11. what should a woman do if she becomes pregnant while taking alli?
Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not take alli. If a woman discovers that she is pregnant while taking alli, she should stop taking the capsules and consult with her physician about appropriate body weight and diet while pregnant or breast-feeding.
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12. what happens if alli is taken with a fat-free meal?
Nothing will happen because there is no fat for alli to inhibit. alli only works locally in the gut on GI lipase activity and does not cause any bowel changes without the consumption of dietary fat.
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13. how do I best pick a starting date to begin taking alli?
Pick the day you will begin taking alli capsules, and start the diet a few days before you begin taking the capsules. If possible, start taking alli capsules on a weekend when you are home.
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14. i don't like to eat breakfast. Can I just pass on that meal?
Clinical studies show alli works best when you eat 3 healthy, low-fat meals a day, one of which is breakfast. If you skip a meal or you are certain your meal contains no fat, you can skip a dose.
People who skip breakfast tend to overeat later in the day. There are plenty of quick, satisfying breakfast choices in the alli meal plans.
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15. is there a waiting limit between taking 2 capsules?
The recommended dose of alli is 1 capsule with meals containing fat, and no more than 3 capsules daily. alli should be taken within an hour of each meal containing fat. It's best to wait at least 2 hours in between doses. However, it is also best to spread your calories throughout the day in breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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16. is dieting necessary while taking alli?
Yes. A well-balanced, reduced-calorie, low-fat diet containing about 15 grams of fat per meal is recommended while taking alli. These recommendations are consistent with dietary guidelines established by the USDA (total fat intake between 20% to 35% of calories).
Purchase of alli includes a comprehensive educational support program and an individually tailored, online action plan to help ensure optimal use of alli. Materials include Welcome and Companion Guides, a "Read Me First" Guide, a Guide to Healthy Eating, a Daily Journal, a Calorie & Fat Counter, and Quick Facts Cards.
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17. can alli be used with diets that are low in carbohydrates and high in fat?
No. alli is only recommended in conjunction with low-fat diets that contain about 15 grams of fat per meal. Eating a meal with too much fat while taking alli can result in bowel changes, such as loose stools, more frequent stools that may be hard to control, or gas with oily spotting. These changes, called treatment effects, may occur in the first weeks of treatment, are not harmful, and can be managed by following a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet of 15 grams of fat per meal.
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18. what happens if I forget to take alli capsules?
If you miss a dose, you simply lose the benefit of alli capsules to block absorption of some of the fat in foods you eat for that meal. Resume taking alli at your next meal.
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19. does alli begin to work in the stomach, or does it begin to work in the small or large intestines?
alli does begin to work in the stomach, but the majority of the action occurs in the small intestine.
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