On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement advising consumers and health care professionals that their have been reports of severe liver injury in patients that have been taking the weight-loss drug orlistat. Orlistat is the active ingridient in both the prescription medication Xenical and the over-the-counter medication Alli. The FDA has approved a new label for Xenical, however, they are working with Alli’s manufacturer for a new label alerting consumers of the potential for liver injury.
The FDA has not been able to determine the relationship between liver injury and orlistat, the active ingredient in both medications. There have been 12 reports of severe liver injury outside the United States and one report of severe liver injury linked to Alli within the U.S. "In two cases, the liver injury proved fatal, and in three others, a liver transplant was required" (Dane). Symptoms of liver injury can include itching, yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine, loss of appetite, or light-colored stools.
If you or someone you know has suffered a liver injury as a result of using Xenical or Alli, please contact Sheller, P.C.
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