New Diet Pill

An over-the-counter diet pill approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hits store shelves Friday, but some doctors are questioning if its benefits are worth its costs.

The over-the-counter drug orlistat, sold in the U.S. as Alli, comes in 60 milligram pills, half that of the prescription version, which has been available in Canada for a few years.

In a three-month trial, people lost an average of 2.7 kilograms when taking the drug, but many gained it back after they stopped taking it. It is not intended for long-term use. best diet Pill

The drug works by blocking the absorption of fat in the colon, so about 30 per cent of fat is excreted.

But the drug has unpleasant side-effects such as diarrhea, leakage, bloating and oily discharge that may help stave off abuse, said Dr. Dara Maker, a family physician in Toronto.

The drug also leads to poor absorption, so multivitamins are recommended for people who take it.

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