ALLI ® is an Orlistat-based drug
THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Peripheral anti-obesity drugs
Indications ALLI ® Orlistat
ALLI® is indicated in the treatment of obesity and overweight when complicated by relative risks in conjunction with a balanced and moderately low-calorie diet.
Mechanism of action ALLI ® Orlistat
The Orlistat contained in ALLI ® is an active ingredient used as a pharmacological support to a balanced diet for weight loss in diseases such as obesity.
The active principle, taken orally and not absorbed by the intestinal mucosa, reaches the gastro-enteric environment, where, given its chemical structure, it is able to selectively interact with the lipases present therein, inhibiting them through a covalent bond.
The inhibition of these enzymes prevents the food lipids introduced through the diet from being effectively digested into fatty acids and glycerol, then absorbed through the intestinal mucosa.
The undigested fats, and the active principle with its metabolites, will subsequently be excreted through the faeces, significantly varying the consistency and greasiness of the same.
Studies carried out and clinical efficacy
1. ORLISTAT IN OBESE TEENAGERS
Int J Pediatr Obes. 2010 Sep 22.
Early weight loss and outcome at one year in obese adolescents treated with orlistat or placebo.
Chanoine JP, Richard M.
Study conducted on about 500 obese adolescent patients, in which it was shown that the administration of Orlistat can significantly increase the effectiveness of the diet plan by significantly reducing body weight, with a double success rate compared to placebo. The study was conducted for 54 weeks at doses, however, double those present in ALLI.
2. ORLISTAT WITHOUT MEDICAL PRESCRIPTION
Prescribe Int. 2010 Nov; 19: 250.
Orlistat without a prescription. The SPC now contains more situations where patients are advised to consult a doctor
Work in which the emphasis is placed on the importance of the possible side effects associated with an incorrect intake of Orilstat and on the general unpreparedness of the user for the management of drugs such as ALLI. The importance of resorting to medical consultation is therefore reiterated. although this drug can be freely sold without a prescription.
3. ORLISTAT OR DIET?
Arch Intern Med. 2010 Jan 25; 170: 136-45.
A randomized trial of a low-carbohydrate diet vs orlistat plus a low-fat diet for weight loss.
Yancy WS Jr, Westman EC, McDuffie JR, Grambow SC, Jeffreys AS, Bolton J, Chalecki A, Oddone EZ.
Interesting study that compared the effects in terms of weight loss, blood pressure improvement and blood chemistry parameters, between Orlistat therapy and a low carbohydrate diet. The data show how dietary treatment can be as effective as pharmacological treatment in ensuring a reduction in body weight and blood chemistry parameters, but more effective in reducing blood pressure.
Method of use and dosage
ALLI ® Orlistat 60mg hard capsules: the recommended dosage is one 60 mg capsule of Orlistat, for a maximum total of 3 capsules per day, to be taken with water, before, during or immediately after meals containing a good amount of lipids.
In order for the drug to carry out its effect, without particularly evident side reactions, it is important that the quantity of dietary lipids is around 30% of the total caloric amount and that the pharmacological treatment is associated with a general improvement of the lifestyle.
ALLI ® Orlistat warnings
Although ALLI ® is sold without a prescription, it is essential that you consult your doctor before taking it.
Furthermore, in order for the results of the treatment to be lasting and such as to improve the health conditions of the obese patient, it is necessary, together with the drug therapy, to adopt a balanced and healthy diet plan and an adequate lifestyle.
While taking ALLI ®, especially for patients undergoing oral anticoagulation and antidiabetic therapy, it is necessary to monitor the haematological picture relating to coagulation and glucose metabolism.
Although the specific mechanism of action has not yet been clarified, the intake of Orlistat in patients suffering from hypothyroidism and chronic renal insufficiency, could be accompanied by the simultaneous presence of side effects, even significant ones.
Furthermore, to avoid a hypovitaminosis related to fat-soluble vitamins, it would be good to plan with your doctor, an additional protocol that provides for the intake of the aforementioned substances at least two hours after that of ALLI ®
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
The absence of studies demonstrating a good safety profile for the health of the fetus, following the intake of Orlistat during pregnancy, does not allow the drug ALLI ® to be used in pregnancy.
At the same time, the presence of pharmacokinetic studies that have highlighted the secretion of the active ingredient in breast milk, underline the importance of avoiding the intake of this drug during the lactation period.
Interactions
The interactions described following the intake of ALLI ® are due to the ability of Orlistat to interfere with the normal absorption of active ingredients such as cyclosporine, oral anticoagulants, oral contraceptives, levothyroxine, antiepileptic drugs, fat-soluble vitamins and amiodraone.
It would therefore be advisable to correct the doses, or administer the drugs away from the intake of ALLI ®
Contraindications ALLI ® Orlistat
ALLI ® is contraindicated in patients suffering from cholestasis, chronic malabsorption syndrome and hypersensitivity to the active substance or one of its excipients.
The intake of Orlistat is also contraindicated during breastfeeding and not recommended during pregnancy.
Undesirable Effects - Side Effects
From the various clinical trials carried out and from post-marketing monitoring, the presence of side effects concentrated above all on the gastrointestinal level, oily losses, flatulence, fatty stools, abdominal pains, fecal incontinence and increased bowel movements were noted.
Only rarely have cases of nephropathy, anxiety, headache, coagulation alterations and dermatological reactions due to hypersensitivity to the active ingredient been described.
Note
ALLI ® is an OTC drug, therefore it can be sold without a prescription.
The information on ALLI ® Orlistat published on this page may be out of date or incomplete. For a correct use of this information, see the Disclaimer and useful information page.
