Developed and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, Alli weight loss tablets are undoubtedly the UK’s first choice when it comes to slimming pills. Based on orlistat as an active ingredient, these pills work by significantly reducing the amount of fat the body absorbs from the food ingested. Usually prescribed to be used as one element of a wider weight loss program, Alli pills are at their most effective when used in parallel with maintaining a healthy, balanced, low-calorie diet accompanied by regular physical activity. In most cases, the doctor will decide to prescribe Alli pills to patients with body mass index (BMI for short) larger than 28.
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How do Alli tablets facilitate weight loss?
With nearly two thirds of the UK’s population being classified as overweight by their BMI, it comes as no surprise that slimming pills are in high demand. However, the medical experts agree that in most cases, weight loss should be accomplished by a combination of a healthy, balanced diet and a strict workout routine. The aim of this approach is to ensure the weight loss is gradual and safe. However, in those cases when the increased weight poses a threat to individual’s health and wellbeing or when the usual measures fail to produce the desired results, then weight loss tablets might be prescribed.
Alli weight loss pills are commonly prescribed for people with a BMI larger or equal to 28 and they can be used for the maximum duration of 6 months, with a necessary review by a doctor somewhere around the 12th week of the treatment. Following the assessment, the doctor will choose whether to halt the treatment or prolong it for the full duration of the course.
The success rates of Alli are rooted in its active ingredient orlistat, which is often referred to as ‘fat-blocker’ by the layman. What this nickname implies is that orlistat works directly in the gut by lowering the fat absorption by roughly a quarter. This fat that is not taken up by the gut is later passed out of the body through faeces. With this mechanism of action, Alli can significantly improve your chances of successfully losing weight. Some studies indicate that for every 2kg of weight lost through dieting, Alli can contribute to loss of additional 1kg.
Can I buy Alli online in the UK?
Yes, it is possible to buy Alli online, however, if you are looking to obtain this medication in the UK, you should keep in mind that you can do so only with a valid prescription, issued by a certified medical professional. If you are buying Alli for the first time, you will have to undergo detailed consultations with a doctor employed at the online clinic of your choice so he can assess your suitability for this treatment. This usually involves filling in a detailed and customised medical questionnaire that the doctor will subsequently use in order to assess your condition and you suitability for Alli treatment as well as your medical profile and history.
If everything is in order, the doctor will issue a prescription and use it that very same moment to have the medicine sent to the address you provided. You should expect delivery within the timespan specified by the online clinic’s business model.
How are Alli tablets used?
Priror to commencing treatment with any prescription medication, you should ensure that you are completely familiar with the details regarding its use. Of course, your prescriber will certainly give you detailed guidelines on how to optimise the results of the treatment while at the same time minimising the risk of side effects.
- Always take exactly as instructed
- Select the date when you will begin treatment in advance
- Start changing your diet before commencing treatment so that your body can adjust
- Set a target weight you want to reach – while your doctor can help you with the exact number, in most cases it means reducing weight by somewhere between 5 and 10%
- As gradual weight loss is considered to be healthier, the doctor may recommend you to aim to lose roughly half a kilo each week
- Keep in mind that Alli is no magic pill – you have to adhere to your diet and exercise plan
- The usual dose is one Alli tablet three times per day
- For maximum effectiveness, Ali tablets need to be taken either just prior to or during a meal
- You can also take Alli one hour after a meal latest
- If you skip a meal or you have a fat-free meal, skip the tablet too
- Take the tablets whole, do not chew or break them
- Never exceed the prescribed dose
- The maximum duration of the treatment is six months
Please keep in mind that the steps outlined here are just the most general guidelines aimed at helping you get a better understanding of what Alli treatment might involve. For a more comprehensive, step-by-step guide, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of Alli.
What are Alli weight loss pills side effects?
As is the case with all medications, Alli also comes with an array of potential side effects that might affect people who are susceptible to them. While not everyone will experience the side effects, it is still important to learn as much about them as you can prior to commencing treatment. That way, you will be able to successfully distinguish between those side effects that might indicate that you will have to halt the treatment and seek immediate medical attention and those which are rather uncomfortable but not really dangerous.
You should immediately contact the emergency service if you notice any symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction including facial swelling, rash, itching, elevated heartbeat or difficulties breathing. In addition to this, there are several more signs that are clear indications that you should stop using the medicine immediately and contact the doctor:
- Rectal bleeding
- Diverticulitis
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Fever
- Constipation
- Pancreatitis
- Fever
- Blistering
- Severe stomach pain
- Hepatitis symptoms
- Itching
- Changes in urine colour
- Liver tenderness
Other documented side effects include:
| Very common (1 in 10 or more) | Common (1 in 10 or less) |
| · Flatulence
· Sudden bowel movements · Fatty and oily stools · Changes in vitamin D levels |
· Stomach pain
· Increased bowel frequency · Runny stools · Hypoglycaemia · Menstrual disturbances · Urinary tract infections |
Please keep in mind that this is not a list of all documented side effects. For a more comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of Alli.
