GSKWEB1

questions about the alli safety and drug interactions

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

  1. is alli safe?
  2. does alli cause any heart racing or palpitations?
  3. what is the rationale behind the label advice for patients with gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and kidney stones to speak with their doctor?
  4. can you take alli if you have had your gallbladder removed?
  5. can you take alli if you have had gastric bypass surgery?
  6. how long does alli remain in your system?
  7. will alli interfere with birth control medications?
  8. can you take antibiotics while taking alli?
  9. if alli prevents the absorption of some of the vitamins I take, will it also block the medication that I take for cholesterol?
  10. will alli block any other medications besides those for cholesterol?
  11. does alli interfere with statins (e.g., Lipitor®, Zocor®, Pravachol®, etc.)?
  12. does alli interfere with bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine (Questran®), colestipol (Colestid®), and colesevelam (Welchol®)?
  13. do alli and Zetia® work the same way? Can I take them both together?
  14. is it OK for diabetics to use alli?
  15. i am also on hypertensive medications. Will I be able to take alli?
  16. can I take alli if I am taking medicine for thyroid disease, e.g., Levoxyl® for hypothyroidism?
  17. is it safe to take alli with the migraine medications Topamax® and Maxalt®?
  18. is alli safe for those taking cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®, SangCya®)?
  19. is alli safe for those taking cyclosporine eye drops?
  20. is alli safe for those taking warfarin (Coumadin®)?
  21. can alli be taken with Benecol®?
  22. can you take alli if you have irritable bowel syndrome?
  23. under what conditions should I not take alli capsules?
  24. is alli safe for elderly adults?

Answers

1. is alli safe?
alli has been approved by the FDA as safe and effective when taken according to label directions. The safety and efficacy of orlistat are both well established. A higher dose of orlistat has been marketed as the prescription drug Xenical in the U.S. since 1999 and is supported by nine years of use in 145 countries. Orlistat experience in more than 25 million patient treatments and more than 100 clinical studies with more than 30,000 patients is unprecedented for a weight loss drug. One of these studies was the four-year landmark XENDOS trial conducted by its manufacturer, Roche. This study is the longest study ever conducted for a weight loss drug.

Taken at mealtime, alli works by blocking the absorption of ¼ of the fat in the foods you eat. alli 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.

back to top

2. does alli cause any heart racing or palpitations?
No. 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.

back to top

3. what is the rationale behind the label advice for patients with gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and kidney stones to speak with their doctor?
Obesity puts people at a greater risk for these conditions. If you have a history of any of these conditions, talk to your doctor before using alli.

back to top

4. can you take alli if you have had your gallbladder removed?
If you have had your gallbladder removed, you may have problems absorbing food. Check with your doctor before using alli.

back to top

5. can you take alli if you have had gastric bypass surgery?
If you have had gastric bypass surgery, you should talk with your doctor before taking alli. Some patients experience problems absorbing food after such a procedure. If this is the case, alli may not be right for you. However, everyone handles these procedures differently, so it is best to check with your doctor first.

back to top

6. how long does alli remain in your system?
Since everyone has different GI transit times, the active ingredient in alli can actually remain in your system for up to 48 to 72 hours, mainly because gastric emptying time varies from person to person.

back to top

7. will alli interfere with birth control medications?
No. alli does not impact the efficacy of your birth control medication. A clinical trial using orlistat (the active ingredient in alli) in 20 normal body weight women taking birth control pills for 23 days found that orlistat had no effect on the ovulation suppression action of the birth control drug.

back to top

8. can you take antibiotics while taking alli?
Yes. There are no clinically significant drug interactions with antibiotics.

back to top

9. if alli prevents the absorption of some of the vitamins I take, will it also block the medication that I take for cholesterol?
No. It won't block a cholesterol medication.

back to top

10. will alli block any other medications besides those for cholesterol?
alli may block other medications. Please check the alli label before purchasing alli. Please consult with your healthcare professional.

back to top

11. does alli interfere with statins (e.g., Lipitor®, Zocor®, Pravachol®, etc.)?
No.

back to top

12. does alli interfere with bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine (Questran®), colestipol (Colestid®), and colesevelam (Welchol®)?
Since these medications often bind, and therefore inactivate, other drugs given concurrently, it is recommended that you take alli at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after bile acid sequestrant administration to avoid impeding the effects of alli.

back to top

13. do alli and Zetia® work the same way? Can I take them both together?
Zetia reduces blood cholesterol by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. alli, on the other hand, works in the stomach, where it inhibits the action of gastric and pancreatic lipases. Since these two drugs have different mechanisms of action and work at different sites in the body, it is unlikely that there will be an interaction between the two.

back to top

14. is it OK for diabetics to use alli?
Ask a doctor before using alli if you are taking medicines for diabetes. There is no drug interaction between alli and diabetes medications; however, people with diabetes may have lower blood sugar levels and improved glycemic control after losing weight with alli. This may require a dose reduction of their diabetes medication.

back to top

15. i am also on hypertensive medications. Will I be able to take alli?
alli does not interact with hypertensive medications, so it is OK to take alli while taking hypertensive medications. If you have questions, please check with your healthcare professional.

back to top

16. can I take alli if I am taking medicine for thyroid disease, e.g., Levoxyl® for hypothyroidism?
Check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking alli if you are taking medication for thyroid disease. People being treated for thyroid disease may need the dose of their thyroid medication adjusted based on their weight loss.

back to top

17. is it safe to take alli with the migraine medications Topamax® and Maxalt®?
It is safe to take alli with the migraine medications Topamax and Maxalt. But, if you have any medical condition, you should first consult a physician before you change your dietary habits.

back to top

18. is alli safe for those taking cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®, SangCya®)?
The label warns consumers in two label sections (organ transplant patients and cyclosporine users) that they should not use alli because it can lower the levels of that drug in the body.

back to top

19. is alli safe for those taking cyclosporine eye drops?
Do not use alli if you are taking cyclosporine. If you have any other questions, check with your doctor first.

back to top

20. is alli safe for those taking warfarin (Coumadin®)?
If you are using warfarin, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking alli, as you will need to be monitored and may need to have your warfarin dose adjusted.

back to top

21. can alli be taken with Benecol®?
Yes. There has been no interaction identified between the ingredient in Benecol (plant stanol esters) and orlistat (the active ingredient in alli). On the alli program, you should aim for 15 grams of fat or less from each meal. One serving of Benecol Spread or Benecol Light Spread contains 8 or 5 grams of fat, respectively. Therefore, patients need to be mindful of the contribution of the fat in Benecol to the total amount of fat in the meal.

back to top

22. can you take alli if you have irritable bowel syndrome?
You should first talk to your doctor before purchasing alli if you have IBS. People with IBS have problems absorbing food. Do not use alli if you have problems absorbing food.

back to top

23. under what conditions should I not take alli capsules?
It's important to read the alli label before using alli capsules. Be sure you understand the following information:

Warnings

Organ transplant alert:

  • do not use if you have had an organ transplant. alli interferes with the medicines used to prevent transplant rejection

Allergy alert:

  • do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in alli capsules

Do not use

  • if you are taking cyclosporine
  • if you have been diagnosed with problems absorbing food
  • if you are not overweight

Ask a doctor before use if you have ever had

  • gallbladder problems
  • kidney stones
  • pancreatitis

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are

  • taking warfarin (blood thinning medicine), or taking medicine for diabetes or thyroid disease. Your medication dose may need to be adjusted.
  • taking other weight loss products

Stop use and ask a doctor if

  • severe or continuous abdominal pain occurs. This may be a sign of a serious medical condition

If pregnant or breast-feeding do not use.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

read the full alli label

back to top

24. is alli safe for elderly adults?
alli is indicated for use by overweight consumers 18 years of age or older, including older adults. If you have specific issues or health concerns, please check with your healthcare professional.

back to top

Return to frequently asked questions