FAQs

A:

alli works by preventing the absorption of some of the fat you eat and so as a result of the way it works, you may notice an effect on your bowel movements, such as wind (flatulence) with or without oily spotting, sudden bowel motions, fatty or oily stools or soft stools. These effects are related to your diet and if you stick to your fat targets they should be manageable. However, if you eat too much fat, these changes are more likely.

It is important to remember that these diet-related treatment effects are largely due to what you eat. If you stick to your recommended fat targets, you are less likely to have any problems.

In a 3-month study of ‘real world’ alli use, less than 9% of subjects on alli dropped out due to these effects. In fact, many users have told us that the effects were a signal that alli was working and helped them maintain healthier eating patterns.

All medicines can have side effects so you should check with your pharmacist or doctor if anything unusual or severe occurs when using alli. If you want to report a side effect you think is associated with alli, click here.

The alli programme is here to help you adopt a healthy lifestyle. The website provides online support, useful tools, tips and lower-fat recipes to help you stay motivated and on track.

A:

No – diet-related treatment effects are related to the way the product works, and how much fat you consume when taking alli. Anti-diarrhoeal products would not help diet-related treatment effects.

It is important to remember that these diet-related treatment effects are largely due to what you eat. If you stick to your recommended fat targets, you are less likely to have any problems.

A:

If you think you are passing blood when you go to the toilet, speak to your doctor.

There are several reasons why someone may pass blood when they go to the toilet. Although some are minor, others are more serious and will need medical attention.

A:

No.  The chance of developing side effects will be the same for alli chewable tablets and alli capsules. 

This is because the chewable tablet has been designed to allow orlistat, the active ingredient in alli, to mix more efficiently in your digestive system with the fat from the food you eat than the capsule.  To make sure that an alli chewable tablet has the same effect on your weight as an alli capsule, the amount of orlistat in the chewable tablet has been lowered.  Just as these two dose forms have the same weight loss effect, you have the same chance of side effects whether you take alli tablets or alli capsules. 

A:

Like all medicines, alli can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common side effects are also known as diet-related treatment effects as they are often caused by what you eat and the way alli works.

It is important to remember that if you stick to your recommended fat target, it is unlikely you will experience any problems. However, if you eat too much fat you increase your chances of diet-related treatment effects.

 In a ‘real world’ 3-month study of alli use, less than 9% of people on alli stopped following the programme due to these effects. In fact, many users have told us that these effects were a signal that the capsules were working and helped them maintain healthier eating patterns.

Use our meal planner to find lots of tasty, low fat recipe ideas you can enjoy as part of the alli programme.