Weight loss pill not magic bullet

You won't lose weight in your sleep or shed pounds while eating anything you want - that's the sobering message from the maker of a weight loss pill poised to hit shelves next month.

GlaxoSmithKline last week opened an educational exhibit in New York City to prepare the country for alli, the first over-the-counter diet pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

While the cautionary marketing approach may not trigger stampedes to the counter, analysts say the drug's fate hinges on the pharmaceutical giant's ability to convince people diet pills aren't a magic bullet.

"People's hopes are ridiculously high when it comes to diet pills. That leads to disappointment and bad word of mouth," said Steven Brozak, an analyst with WBB Securities.

That's just what happened to the prescription version of the drug, Xenical by Roche Holding, which contains twice the dosage. People were let down when it failed to deliver dramatic results and the drug never really caught on, Brozak said.

GlaxoSmithKline has apparently learned the lesson and is counting on alli to become a star money-maker. The company is spending $150 million on marketing alli this year, making it one of the drug maker's biggest campaigns to date.

"We've done everything to go out of our way to be honest," said Steve Burton, vice-president of the weight control division at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. "We're taking a very different approach than the fad diets people are constantly exposed to".

In clinical trials, the FDA says people using alli lost an additional two to three pounds for every five pounds lost through diet and exercise. The FDA approved alli to be sold over the counter in February.

When taken with meals, the drug blocks the absorption of about one-quarter of any fat consumed.

That fat - about 150 to 200 calories worth - is passed out of the body, potentially resulting in loose stools.

About half of patients in trials experienced gastrointestinal side effects, including leakages and oily discharges.

GlaxoSmithKline is frank about those unpleasant effects, which it says can be controlled if the drug is used properly.

Source: www.epsdrugstore.com