FDA puts liver-damage warning on weight-loss pills
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials are warning consumers that the weight loss pills alli and Xenical may cause severe liver damage in rare cases.
The Food and Drug Administration said today it has added a warning about the risk to the label of the drug, which is sold over-the-counter by GlaxoSmithKline. A prescription version called Xenical is manufactured by Roche and sold by Glaxo.
The FDA identified 13 instances of liver damage associated with the drugs. A causal effect between the drugs and the problem has not been established.
The FDA urged doctors and patients to watch for signs of liver injury, including itching, yellow eyes and skin and loss of appetite.
Glaxo said in a statement it is "committed to ensuring that consumers and physicians understand the safety profile" of alli. More than 10 million people worldwide have used alli since it was launched, according to Glaxo.