The Word Is 'Leakage'

[mawilson 2,133]

By Raina Kelley

Newsweek

June 25, 2007 issue - GlaxoSmithKline has a tip for people who decide to try Alli, the

over-the-counter weight-loss drug it is launching with a multimillion-dollar advertising blitz—

keep an extra pair of pants handy. That's because Alli, a lower-dose version of the prescription

drug Xenical, could (cue the late-night talk-show hosts) make you soil your pants. But while Alli's

most troublesome side effect, ####### leakage, is sure to be good for a few laughs, millions of

people who are desperate to take off weight may still decide the threat of an accident is worth it.

Unlike traditional diet pills, Alli, the first over-the-counter weight-loss product approved by the FDA,

is not an appetite suppressant. Instead, it prevents the gastrointestinal system from absorbing

about 25 percent of the fat a person consumes. If you eat more than the recommended 15 grams

of fat at a meal, you may experience cramps and the uncontrollable escape of those extra fat grams.

For New Jersey native Paula Miguel, 35, however, that's just the incentive she needed to stay on

track and lose 20 pounds. "I see Alli as a disciplinarian," says Miguel. "It keeps me accountable for

everything I eat."

While many nutritionists agree that Alli can help block the absorption of fat calories, they are careful

to note that if people are not dedicated to changing their eating habits, weight loss will be small or

nonexistent, and the side effects will eventually cause them to stop taking the drug. "For some people

who are extremely motivated and don't mind a little bit of leakage, this may work for them," says

Elisa Zied, a nutritionist from New York City. Zied is quick to add that Alli users should be sure to

take a multivitamin every day, since the drug also decreases the absorption of fat-soluble minerals

and vitamins such as E, A, D and K.

Critics say it's the low-fat, reduced-calorie diet Alli users are encouraged to follow that results in real

weight loss. A new companion book, "The Alli Diet Plan," by Dr. Caroline Apovian, aims to maximize

the drug's weight-loss potential with detailed meal plans and more than 200 low-fat recipes. But there's

not much in the book that can't be found in lots of other diet books that don't endorse a particular

weight-loss product. Dr. Carla Wolper of the New York Obesity Research Center says Alli offers dieters

a slight edge, but permanent change comes from a change in attitude and behavior. GlaxoSmithKline

says people who use Alli lose 50 percent more weight than people who follow the same regimen but

forgo the drug. All joking aside, Alli, like Xenical, has been proved to be safer than the OTC appetite

suppressants, which can cause heart and kidney damage and even seizures in some users.

The drugmaker hopes to stem the number of Alli dropouts by including with each $50 starter kit a

weight-loss journal and a calorie and fat counter. In addition, the company is sponsoring an online

behavioral support program. Dr. Vidhu Bansal, who led GlaxoSmithKline's Alli clinical trials, says that

people who are looking for a quick fix shouldn't bother buying the drug: "People have to be committed

to losing weight. They have to accept that they have to make a lifestyle change to get healthy." More

than 60 percent of Americans can be classified as overweight or obese. With the economic impact of

obesity in the United States said to top $122 billion a year, commitment to a healthy lifestyle seems to

be one thing we don't have. So perhaps we need the threat of you know what.

[Alex+R 0]

Yeah eeww... I was actually somewhat enticed by the marketing blitz, but ultimately the threat of "leakage" was a turnoff. I'm sure there are other people equally desperate or more desperate than me who will be willing to do this though.

[mawilson 2,133]

Yeah - аss they said, it's "sure to be good for a few laughs"

[Aymerlu 3]

I think this will be one of these medications that will be misused. Even though it is a lower dosage than the prescription version it will still have many ill side effects. No way no how would I take a pill that might make me poo my britches

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Yeah eeww... I was actually somewhat enticed by the marketing blitz, but ultimately the threat of "leakage" was a turnoff. I'm sure there are other people equally desperate or more desperate than me who will be willing to do this though.

I'm wondering how close it is chemically to olestra, the fat substitute that had also been approved by the FDA, because it also had the consequence of inhibiting the body from absorbing fat, along with ####### leakage.

[JoeMama 0]

Did they say anything about side effects when adding the usage of a butt plug with this medication?

[derekkj 0]

Yeah eeww... I was actually somewhat enticed by the marketing blitz, but ultimately the threat of "leakage" was a turnoff. I'm sure there are other people equally desperate or more desperate than me who will be willing to do this though.

I'm wondering how close it is chemically to olestra, the fat substitute that had also been approved by the FDA, because it also had the consequence of inhibiting the body from absorbing fat, along with ####### leakage.

Was wondering the exact same thing, Steven! Like Alex, I was at least mildly interested in it until I read about it's lovely side effects. Which reminded me completely of Olestra. Even with my Crohns in remission, I don't need any additional threat of leakage.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Yeah eeww... I was actually somewhat enticed by the marketing blitz, but ultimately the threat of "leakage" was a turnoff. I'm sure there are other people equally desperate or more desperate than me who will be willing to do this though.

I'm wondering how close it is chemically to olestra, the fat substitute that had also been approved by the FDA, because it also had the consequence of inhibiting the body from absorbing fat, along with ####### leakage.

Was wondering the exact same thing, Steven! Like Alex, I was at least mildly interested in it until I read about it's lovely side effects. Which reminded me completely of Olestra. Even with my Crohns in remission, I don't need any additional threat of leakage.

OMG, Crohnss Disease! Speaking of which - I remember reading about some breakthroughs with people who suffer from Crohn's - therapy involving the careful introduction of parasitic worms into the intestines. Something goes haywire with our immune system...

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=17767

Parasitic worms, or helminths, may be an effective treatment for the chronic inflammatory bowel disorder, Crohn's disease, suggests a small study in Gut.

Helminths, such as roundworms and threadworms, are rare in developed countries, where rates of Crohn's disease are high. But in developing countries where corresponding rates of the disease are low, many people carry these parasitic worms.

[dalegg 143]

You know, there's nothing sexier than a nice thin body oozing with ####### leakage. Actually, I'll be a lot of porn stars experience this.

[Jamie76 0]

I remember "Wow!" potato chips which contained olestra...do they still make those? There was a warning on the bag speaking of ####### leakage.

[KarenCee 3]

I can hear Jeff Foxworthy having a field day with this one!

[Robor007 0]

I can hear Jeff Foxworthy having a field day with this one!

Stewie from The Family Guy to Jeff Foxworthy: 'You Suck!' (and he's right)

[KarenCee 3]

I can hear Jeff Foxworthy having a field day with this one!

Stewie from The Family Guy to Jeff Foxworthy: 'You Suck!' (and he's right)

I was commenting on the fact that Foxworthy already has made a joke about "####### seepage", I just figure he'd have a field day with this one if he hears about this. I must admit the blue collar comedy routines (and their participants) aren't everyone's cuppa tea.

[Ladylethal 12]

I tried Xenical when if first came out and it didn't work for me. Why? I didn't have A LOT of weight to lose, I didn't eat a lot of fat anyway, so the medicine didn't work on me 'cus I was overweight not 'cus of the amount of fat I ate, but the amount of carbs. Xenical only worked on fat consumed.

So if Alli is a weaker Xenical, it certainly won't work, besides, I wouldn't want to be worried about leakages anyway. Eww!

[Fandango 1,440]

It's so sad that this drug will probably be very popular despite the side effects.

My dad has a saying 'close thy mouth, gain no weight' simple and true!