For an uncountable number of years, people have been looking for a "magic pill" that is the solution to weight loss. Over the course of those uncountable number of years, the market has seen many pills flood the over the counter (OTC) market, most either did not work (Grapefruit 45, anyone?) or did work, but came with health risks such as the much maligned stimulant ephedrine.

For years, the most power weight loss products were appetite suppressants available by prescription only. Then along came Xenical, the first prescription medication weight loss product that did not suppress appetite, but rather, blocks the absorption of fat into the intestines. Calories are most highly concentrated in fat and Xenical blocks 30% of fat absorption found in the fat content of food. This leads to the a reduction of calories as the calories in the fat do not find their way into the small intestine.

Originally designed as a treatment for those who are morbidly obese, a smaller dosage variant on the drug has been cleared by the FDA and will be made available to the public in an over the counter version. (It has been available as an OTC drug in Australia for a while now) From all accounts, an OTC version of the drug will probably sell through the roof.

Just because a product is available OTC, does not mean that it is 100% safe. Critics note that when offered via prescription, the patient is informed that the drug must be discontinued after six months or complications will occur and that long term effects may possibly lead to cancer. One group of critics, a consumer group called Public Citizen, has petitioned the FDA to revoke its decision, but it doesn't look like they will have much success in the matter.

OTC Xenical will be available by the end of 2006.

Source: http://www.redorbit.com/

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