Alli Liver Damage Information Center: __________________ Issues with Diet Drug Alli and Liver Injury Medical Alert FDA probes Alli and Liver Damage

Have you or a loved one suffered a Liver Injury by using the over-the-counter diet drug Alli?

The FDA is said to be investigating Alli, as well as a prescription version of the called Xenical, because of reports linking these drugs to serious liver damage. Our Alli liver damage lawyers are offering free case evaluations to anyone who suffered liver problems while taking this popular diet pill.

If you or someone you love have taken Alli and been diagnosed with necrosis of the liver, inflammation of the liver, vascular lesions, acute liver failure, or any other serious liver injury, this medication could be the cause of the Liver Injury.

You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Please contact one of our Alli liver damage lawyers right away to protect your legal rights.

Alli and Xenical Alert

Alli and Xenical contain orlistat as their active ingredient. Xenical, which is made by Roche, was approved in 1999. Unlike other weight loss remedies, neither Alli nor Xenical work by suppressing the appetite or increasing metabolism. Instead, orlistat prevents the digestive system from absorbing dietary fat, thereby reducing daily calorie intake. Both Alli and Xenical are meant to be used in conjunction with a low-fat diet. The manufacturer of Alli maintains that the most common side effects associated with this drug are oily and loose stools, fecal incontinence, frequent or urgent bowel movements and flatulence. However, Xenical’s labeling already lists liver injury as a potential side effect.

Investigation of the Product called Alli

In April 2009, the FDA discussed orlistat's possible link to hepatotoxicity - chemical induced liver injury- at a meeting of its Drug Safety Oversight Board (DSB). According to a report on Scrips News, orlistat was discussed in relation to both prescription (Xenical) and over-the-counter (Alli) versions and the potential risk of hepatotoxicity based on several post-marketing reports. The FDA has not said exactly how many post-marketing reports of liver damage it had received that were associated with Alli and Xenical.

Alli and Xenical have also raised safety concerns in Europe. According to a report in the Daily Mail, the United Kingdom's (UK) drug regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has received 31 reports of side effects linked to orlistat since Alli was launched there in April 2009. However, MHRA was not able to say whether the majority of those reports were from patients taking Alli or Xenical, the Daily Mail said.

Since Xenical became available in the U.K. in 2001, the Daily Mail says 24 patients taking it have died - one of liver failure and the others from heart attacks, gall bladder inflammation, multi-organ failure and lung clots. There were also five cases of sudden death where the cause was unclear. In total, the MHRA has received 1,252 reports from patients of potential side effects from Xenical. Nearly 100 were connected with liver problems, according to the Daily Mail.

Liver Hepatotoxicity

Liver hepatotoxicity refers to chemical-driven liver damage. The liver is the largest organ in the body, and its most important task is to filter toxic substances from your body. The toxic substances your liver filters include alcohol and most medications.

If your liver is damaged, it may not be able to perform its functions well. Most importantly, it may not be able to excrete bile, the main way the liver disposes of waste products. If toxins accumulate in the body faster than the liver can process them, then liver damage will result.

The signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity vary depending on how badly the liver is damaged. Symptoms of liver damage include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• diarrhea
• feeling tired or weak
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• hepatomegaly (liver enlargement)

If you have suffered any of these symptoms while taking Alli, this diet drug may be behind your health problems.

Legal Help for Victims of Alli Liver Damage

Millions of people have taken Alli in the hopes of improving their health by losing unwanted pounds. Many Alli users may have actually suffered more serious health problems because of this drug. Our law firm is currently investigating potential lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline for alleged Alli liver injuries. To discuss your case with one of our Alli liver damage lawyers, please fill out our online form or call 1-800 862 1260.