frequently asked questions

alli works by preventing the absorption of some of the fat you eat and as a result of this mode of action, you may notice an effect on your bowel movements. These effects are related to your diet and if you stick to your fat targets they should be manageable. However, if you eat too much fat, these changes are more likely and may include wind, with or without oily spotting, fatty or oily stools, or sudden bowel motions.

It is important to remember that these diet-related treatment effects are largely due to what you eat. If you stick to your recommended fat targets, you are less likely to have any problems.

In a 3-month study of ‘real world’ alli use, less than 9% of subjects on alli dropped out due to these effects. In fact, many users have told us that the effects were a signal that the capsules were working and helped them maintain healthier eating patterns.

All medicines can have side effects so you should check with your doctor if anything unusual or severe occurs when using alli.

The alli program is here to help you adopt a healthy lifestyle. The website provides online support, useful tools, tips and lower-fat recipes to help you stay motivated and on track.

No – diet-related treatment effects are related to the way the product works, and how much fat you consume when taking alli. Anti-diarrheal products would not help diet-related treatment effects.
It is important to remember that these diet-related treatment effects are largely due to what you eat. If you stick to your recommended fat targets, you are less likely to have any problems.

Some people taking alli have noticed this type of effect. Typically, small amounts of red liquid are seen, sometimes described as droplets in the toilet bowl water, mixed in with the stools or on the toilet tissue.

If you've eaten a meal containing red-colored food, for example a tomato-based sauce, you may experience a red/orange oily spotting, particularly if the meal was high in fat. This could be confused with blood. If you think that you are passing blood from the back passage when you go to the toilet, or that the red spotting is not linked with the type of food you have eaten, you should discuss this with your doctor.

There are several reasons why someone may pass blood when they go to the toilet. Although some are minor, others are more serious and will need medical attention.