Weight Loss Drug, Xenical, Moves Closer To OTC Status

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Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Public Health
Article Date: 08 Apr 2006 - 14:00 PDT

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An FDA spokesperson said GSK's weight loss drug, Xenical (orlistat), has received conditional approval for OTC (Over-the-Counter) status. OTC means a drug can be bought without a doctor's prescription.

In order to gain OTC status, GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) will have to take some steps. The spokesperson did not explain what these steps were.

If finally approved, Xenical will be sold as an OTC drug in the USA under the brand name Alli.

Xenical belongs to the Swiss pharmaceutical company, Roche Holding AG. GlaxoSmithKline, a British pharmaceutical company, bought the rights to sell the drug in the USA as a non-prescription drug.

The drug works by preventing fat from being absorbed by the body. The patient has to be careful with what he/she eats. If too much fat is consumed he/she will experience an embarrassing oily discharge (via the anus). Many have written to Medical News Today saying they used Xenical and lost weight (in their opinions) for two reasons: 1. Less fat was absorbed. 2. Because of the nature of the drug, they had to drastically cut down on their fat intake - otherwise their underwear would be stained.

To date, there are not any OTC weight loss drugs that have been endorsed by the FDA.

GSK argues that having the drug available over-the-counter would help fight the 'obesity epidemic' currently spreading fast in the USA.

The USA has the highest percentage of people experiencing obesity or overweight in the world. However, other countries are catching up fast.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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