What Is Alli (Orlistat), How Does It Work, And How Effective Is It In Reducing Weight?

Dr. Eisenson answers the question: 'What Is Alli, How Does it Work?'

ByABC News
December 22, 2008, 3:55 PM

February 1, 2009 -- Question: What is Alli (orlistat), how does it work, and how effective is it in reducing weight?

Answer: There is a weight control product that's available over the counter now called Alli -- that's the brand name. The generic name is orlistat. It is a so-called fat blocker and this works to block the absorption of a certain amount of the fat ingested in the diet -- about 30 percent of the fat that we consume passes through undigested.

So this can be of modest help in achieving greater weight loss and maintaining greater weight loss over time. But I would emphasize that it's important to do this in conjunction with following a healthy diet and a plan of regular activity.