FDA Urged to Ban Two Weight-Loss Drugs Based on Severe Side Effects

A consumer advocacy group is urging the Food and Drug administration to immediately remove the weight-loss drugs Alli and Xenical from the market due to serious health concerns, including liver failure, acute pancreatitis and death.

Public Citizen, in a petition to the FDA, said over-the-drug counter Alli and its prescription form Xenical can damage the liver. The group also said new information obtained from FDA adverse reaction files indicates the drugs have been associated with 47 cases of acute pancreatitis and 73 cases of kidney stones.