Health Information | Health Forum

It's rare, but notable

Concerned about rare occurrences of severe liver injury, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday it is requiring a new warning label on the weight loss drug orlistat, which is marketed as Xenical and Alli.

Xenical is a prescription weight loss drug that contains 120 milligrams of orlistat. Alli, the over-the-counter version, contains 60 mg of orlistat. An estimated 40 million people worldwide have taken either Xenical or Alli, according to the FDA.

The FDA, which began investigating the weight loss drug last year said the warning is based on its review of 13 cases of severe liver injury reported in those taking orlistat. Twelve of the cases occurred outside the country; the only U.S. report of severe liver injury involved Alli.

Signs and symptoms of liver injury include itching, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, loss of appetite and light-colored stools.

Last year, the weight loss dietary supplement Hydroxycut was recalled in the U.S. after the FDA warned about potential liver damage.

Earlier this year, the FDA warned consumers about a counterfeit and potentially harmful version of Alli 60 mg capsules. The fake versions contained a controlled substance called sibutramine rather than orlistat. Sibutramine should be used only under the care of a physician.

Well, While it is a signal for a serious safety issue, i.e. the symptoms listed by FDA are consistent with end-stage liver failure that puts someone possibly in the game for a transplant. However, I don’t have enough information to decide whether to prescribe it or not.

A prominent health expert recently stated:
The day is fast coming when health insurance schemes collapse and self care becomes the order of the day. But many Americans aren't ready for this.
Although Xenical is approved by the FDA the side effects are not harmful, but they can be irritating and Xenical can cause frequent bowel movements and urgent bowels.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in tissues and organs. Hepatitis is acute when it lasts less than six months and chronic when it persists longer. Group of viruses known as hepatitis B infection causes most cases of hepatitis in the world, but it can also be caused by toxins. Jaundice refers to the presence of advanced liver damage. It is a medical examination can be swelling of the liver.

Xenical is a prescription weight loss drug that contains 120 milligrams of orlistat. I think the food and drug administration is warning of rare instances of liver injury in some people talking the popular weight-loss drug orlistat.