The marketing blitz has already begun, even before the first over-the-counter drug hits stores. It's called Alli and it's a lower dose version of the prescription weight loss pill Xenical. The active ingredient in both is Orlistat, which works by limiting the amount of fat your body absorbs from food.
Shelly Huett said she's seen the scale go up and down and up again, after struggling with her weight for years. Then her doctor suggested she try Orlistat.
"It wasn't drastic results that first week."
But over the last year and a half, Shelly has lost 40 pounds. She credits better food choices, exercise and Orlistat.
"You have to be disciplined it's not a quick fix because you have to have a low fat diet."
"It really is not going to be a magic pill," said Dr. Janine Kyrillos of Jefferson University Hospital.
Dr. Kyrillos said the new, over-the-counter version, Alli, would be accessible to more people who want to jump start weight loss.
In studies, testers lost about 50 percent more weight than they would through dieting alone.
"They could hope to lose about five to ten pounds over six months on average," said Dr. Kyrillos.
But, there is a downside. The drug can cause some harsh side effects, especially if people don't follow the recommended low-fat diet.
She said, "One of the side effects, you are not absorbing the fat where does it go? It comes out of your stool. So you can get bloating, gas, diarrhea, and occasionally some anal leakage. So it can be quite unpleasant."
And embarrassing. These side effects are detailed in a guide included with the Alli starter pack.
The company marketing Alli, Glaxo Smith Kline, said it wants to discourage impulse buyers who don't know what they're getting into.
"The truth is if you take Alli and eat a meal that has too much fat in it, then that excess fat will pass out of your body in an uncomfortable way," said Joe Cadle of Glaxo Smith Kline.
Others are concerned about more than just frequent trips to the bathroom. Some eating disorder experts worry about the potential for abuse.
"The most alarming thing is that it will be out there without any guidance," said Dr. Jeffrey Brownstein of The Renfrew Center.
And just last month, the consumer watchdog group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to keep Alli off the market, citing studies that show it increases the risk of colon cancer and other illnesses.
Glaxo strongly disagrees, and said the FDA reviewed 10 years of safety data from around the world before giving the final O-K to Alli.
"Alli is not absorbed into the system, it doesn't affect your central nervous system, it doesn't affect your brain, it doesn't affect your cardiovascular system, and it doesn't mess with your heart. It acts in the gut, that's a pretty safe place," said Cadle.
Alli Estimated Costs:
90 ct. Starter Pack = $50-$60
120 ct. Refill Pack = $70-$75
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