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Persons considering taking over-the-counter or prescription medication that claims to aid with weight-loss might instead give it additional and very careful thought. The pills may indeed help you to lose the weight, but there are reports that it could wreak havoc on your body’s health in other areas.

The latest case in point involves alli, which has been heavily marketed in numerous stores, including big-box stores such as Walmart and Target. Alli (the generic name is orlistat) blocks some of that fat that you eat, keeping it from being observed by your body, helping you to lose weight. The medicine is intended to be taken in conjunction with a low-calorie, low-fat diet and regular exercise. The non-prescription weight-loss drug that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration is now being investigated by the agency following claims of liver damage. Regulators have said that they have received more than 30 reports of liver damage of patients taking alli and Xenical, the orlistat drug’s prescription version. Alli and Xenical are marketed by British drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, and Xenical is manufactured by Swiss firm Roche.

The reports were submitted between 1999 and October 2008 and included 27 hospitalized patients and six who suffered liver failure. While the FDA has stated it has not established a direct link between the weight-loss drug when taken as prescribed and liver damage and has not ordered any recall or prevention of continued sales. Patients can continue to use either the over-the-counter or prescription versions as directed, if desired. The agency did say that consumers should consult with their health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms that are not considered typical from the drug’s use.

Does this mean you should stop taking these medications? The safest approach to ensuring your overall body’s health is to visit with your doctor if you have concerns about taking any medication, not these particular weight-loss medications. Another option is to consider a drug-free solution to weight loss, such as a weight-loss surgery. Call us today if you’d like more information about our bariatric surgery options and how they may provide you with a healthier lifestyle that doesn’t rely on over-the-counter or prescription weight-loss pills.