If you have taken Alli and you have developed liver damage you may be entitled to compensation.

Alli is a trade name for the over-the-counter version of orlistat, a drug marketed by GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of obesity. In August 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it was investigating reports of liver damage in patients taking Alli and its prescription counterpart Xenical.

If you have been hurt as a result of taking Alli, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The defective drug lawyers at Brown & Crouppen can help you understand your legal rights. Our experienced legal team will provide dedicated advocacy and help you ensure that you receive the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact the Alli attorneys today. Call Brown & Crouppen toll-free at 1-888-891-2022 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form .

In an August 2009 safety announcement, the FDA reported receiving 32 reports of serious liver injury by orlistat users, including six cases of liver failure. Federal drug safety officials said their investigation of orlistat is ongoing and urged patients who have experienced adverse reactions or complications to report their experiences to the FDA.

Alli works by disabling an enzyme that that aids in digestion of fat, thereby decreasing the absorption of fat by the intestines and decreasing the number of calories absorbed. Because it inhibits fat absorption, orlistat also interferes with the absorption of essential fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E, K and beta-carotene.

Alli has also been linked to other potentially severe health problems. Before receiving FDA approval as an over-the-counter weight loss aid in 2007, studies indicted an increased incidence of breast cancer among orlistat patients. Other studies have linked orlistat to precursors of colon cancer in lab animals.

According to the manufacturer and the National Institute of Health, Alli can also cause these side effects:

• Hives;
• Rash;
• Itching;
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing;
• Severe or continuous abdominal pain;
• Pain or discomfort in the rectum;
• Stomach pain;
• Irregular menstrual periods;
• Headache;
• Anxiety;
• Gas with oily spotting;
• Urgent need to have a bowel movement;
• Loose stools;
• Oily or fatty stools;
• Increased number of bowel movements;
• Difficulty controlling bowel movements.

The current FDA inquiry into liver complications resulting from Alli may represent the most important information yet about dangers associated with the drug. Of the 32 reports of liver problems, 27 patients were hospitalized and six suffered liver failure. The symptoms most commonly reported to the FDA by patients taking orlistat were jaundice, the yellowing of the eyes or skin, weakness and stomach pain. According to the FDA, patients taking Alli should be watchful for these and other symptoms that could indicate liver problems, such as brown urine, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and vomiting.

If you believe that you have been injured as a result of taking Alli, it may be possible to receive financial compensation for your injury. You deserve to fully understand your legal rights in this situation.

The defective drug lawyers at Brown & Crouppen can provide you with experienced legal representation. With more than a quarter century of experience, our pharmaceutical attorneys have the skill and knowledge necessary to construct a successful Alli claim. Contact the Alli lawyers today. Call Brown & Crouppen toll-free at 888-891-2022 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form .