Xenical and Alli are prescription and over-the-counter brands of the weight loss drug orlistat. Orlistat blocks the absorption of fat in the gastrointestinal tract, causing patients to lose weight at a quicker rate due to reduced fat digestion. In August 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a health alert regarding orlistat after reports surfaced linking the drug with severe liver damage.

The FDA encourages physicians and consumers to continue use of Xenical and Alli as directed until more research is conducted.

Xenical and Alli Side Effects - Liver Injury, Liver Failure

From 1999 to 2008, the FDA received 32 reports of liver damage in orlistat patients, 27 of which required hospitalization and six of which cited liver failure. Most of the patients reported jaundice, stomach pain and weakness.

In following these reports, the FDA is investigating the link between orlistat and liver damage; however, it states that "no definite association between liver injury and orlistat has been established at his time."

Patients who are taking Xenical or Alli should be aware of the symptoms of liver damage, which include:

• Abdominal pain
• Brown urine
• Easy bruising
• Fatigue
• Itching
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Light-colored stool
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness

Finding a Xenical or Alli Lawyer

Victims who have endured liver damage or other adverse reactions as a result of consuming Xenical or Alli are entitled to receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, lost prospects and emotional distress. The companies that market Xenical and Alli, Roche Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline respectively, are responsible for alerting consumers about the possible risks of taking the drug on the packaging. Failing to highlight the potential life-threatening side effects may be considered negligent and make them liable for the damages their products have caused.

If you have suffered serious side effects after taking Xenical or Alli, please contact the defective drug attorneys of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz at (888) 255-2956. They can help you build a strong defective drug case against Roche Pharmaceuticals or GlaxoSmithKline and earn you the compensation you deserve.