Alli May Attract Patients With Eating Disorders

Newswise — UNEXPECTED ATTRACTION: Eating disorders patients are likely to abuse Alli, the first over-the-counter diet drug approved by the FDA, predicts a Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute psychologist who specializes in treating these patients. "Because it's been approved by the FDA, people think it's safe. But if patients are already at a healthy weight and are using Alli as part of their eating disorder, then it is not safe. It can make an eating disorder even worse because it magnifies symptoms these patients already have," says Randall Flanery, Ph.D., who also is an adjunct associate professor at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. One of the main side effects of Alli is diarrhea. "For someone who has been abusing laxatives, diarrhea is no big deal. What might be a more discouraging side effect for a healthier individual becomes an attraction for someone who has a serious eating disorder."