Monroe Chat

It's after Crimbo and I know folks are looking to fulfil their resolutions about weight loss ..... I came across this posted on WCPO and as I know at least two individuals who were interested in trying this out, wanted to be sure to post ....

Alli is one of the most popular diet products in recent years. It is a an over-the-counter version of a diet pill that had been prescription-only until the Food and Drug Administration allowed wider sales.

Now the FDA is warning that counterfeit versions of the weight-loss drug are selling on the internet, especially at auction sites. The FDA says the fakes are not only illegal but also unsafe.

The counterfeit pills are the 60 mg capsules, which come in a 120-pill refill pack. As far as the FDA can tell, no retail stores are selling the fakes, which look much like the real thing with a few exceptions.

The counterfeit Alli is missing an LOT code on the outer cardboard packaging. While the real Alli shows an expiration date featuring a month and year, the fake adds a day to the other two. The plastic bottle itself is taller than the real deal, with a wider cap.

The inside packaging differs too. The authentic Alli has a safety seal printed with the words “SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION.” The fakes only have a plain foil for the inner safety seal with no words at all.

Instead of small white pellets in the real Alli, the fakes are large capsules filled with white powder the FDA says contains varying amounts of sibutramine, a stimulant drug, and none of the orlistat, the weight loss ingredient that powers the true Alli.

The FDA is worried that there’s no way to now how much sibutramine is in the fakes.

The drug is also used for weight-loss but must be in specific doses and under a doctor’s supervision.

FDA testing showed some of the fake Alli contained twice the recommended maximum dose of sibutramine, which would dangerous for people who have a history of cardiovascular disease, potentially leading to high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack.

Healthy people might experience anxiety, nausea, heart palpitations, a racing heart, insomnia, or small increases in blood pressure.