WARNING: This blog contains what the text messaging world labels as TMI. This blog is not to be read by the easily grossed out or slightly squeamish person. If you keep reading. . .you can’t say I didn’t warn you.
Alli, a non-prescription form of the weight loss drug Xenical, came out on drug store shelves last month on June 15th. Since then sales have sky rocketed with everyone trying to get their hands on those pills.
What makes Alli unique is that it brings ’quick’ weight loss to the masses. Not only can the morbidly obese use it, but it’s for the average Joe Schmoe who wants to lose a few pounds. But Alli comes with some serious. . .um. . .side effects that frankly, make me want to turn the other way and run. Well actually, the side effects are making a lot of people run. . .um. . .so to speak.
The Alli Warning
Even the makers of the drug, GlaxoSmithKline are upfront about the potential consequences of eating fat while on Alli. They give the following warnings with the product: “Make sure you wear dark pants. Users should also bring an extra pair of pants to work just in case.” One pharmacist at a local drug store advises users to start on a day off lest they suffer the embarrassing consequences of an Alli-oops. So in case you’re still not clear on the consequences. . .eat too much fat and you will find yourself with diarrhea. Not ‘I think I can make it to the bathroom diarrhea’ but serious, spontaneous, explosions of diarrhea.
Alli Users Unite
Despite the severe consequences, sales are still up AND enough people still cheat (knowing the consequences) that Alli users are online sharing tips for frugal ‘pads’ and how to best get diarrhea out of your upholstery. One frugal user writes that she thinks it would be cheaper to buy infant diapers and use them as kind of a large pad while other users swear by Depends. I guess there’s some sort of sisterhood in sharing diarrhea stories?
You Can Avoid Alli-oops
Just because you’re on the pill doesn’t doom you for diarrhea. You just have to follow the diet and never, ever cheat. Ever. Proponents of the pill, point out that Alli forces you to eat a low fat diet which in turn causes you to lose weight and be healthier. (The pill also helps by blocking approximately 25% of the fat you eat.) If you start straying from your new found diet of low fat fruits and vegetables, lean meats, etc. you will be punished. Severely and swiftly punished.