U.S, FDA warns of possible liver damage from diet pills Xenical and Alli

More than a decade ago, diet pill fen-phen was pulled from the market because it was linked to heart valve problems in users. Then, a few years ago, the weight-loss drug Accomplia failed to gain approval here in the U.S. even though it is approved in parts of Europe, because it was linked to suicidal tendencies. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Aministration is investigating the prescription weight-loss drug Xenical (Orlistat) and its over-the-counter counterpart Alli due to reports of 32 cases of possible liver damage and six cases of liver failure, according to a Newsday report. Thirty of the cases occurred outside the U.S., the FDA said. Orlistat blocks the intestines from absorbing fat when taken up to three times a day with meals, the article says. In 1999, the FDA approved Xenical for weight management in combination with a reduced-calorie diet. Alli, which contains half the dose of orlistat, was approved for nonpresription use in the U.S.in 2007.GlaxoSmithkline markets both drugs, although Roce in Swizerland manufactures Xenical. The FDA, which did not issue a public warning to the companies, will continue to follow reports closely and cautioned users to stop using it if they felt any weakness, jaundice, fever or other signs of liver injury.