Xenical®, Roche’s diet drug, might be linked to an increased risk of kidney damage, say Canadian researchers.
According to information in the healthcare database from the province of Ontario, patients that take orlistat, the active ingredient in Xenical® and Alli® (a diet drug made by GlaxoSmithKline), are at greater risk of kidney damage.
The study is based on 953 new orlistat users. Results show that approximately 0.5 percent of the patients were treated for kidney problems before taking the medication. That number increased to 2 percent after one year of orlistat treatment.
Orlistat, which works by inhibiting fat absorption in the gut, has already been linked to liver problems in certain patients.
Weight loss drugs have been under public scrutiny for a long time. Critics argue that patients need to be carefully monitored by their doctors when taking drugs to lose weight. Safe alternatives include a healthy diet and exercise.
If you or someone you love has suffered liver or kidney damage after using Xenical® or another weight loss drug, contact Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overhotlz for help.
