The exciting news for million of over weight Americans and Europeans is that now the drug Alli- big breakthrough in obesity treatment- can be purchased over-the-counter. Alli- formation of weight loss drug Xenical- is the only FDA approved weight loss drug available for sale in US with a non-prescription.

Manufactured by Glaxo Smith Kline, Alli is a half strength version of prescription diet drug Xenical (orlistat). It works by lessening the percentage of fat that is absorbed by intestines. It blocks up nearly 25 percent of fat eaten by a person on an average in meal. Simultaneously, through bowel treatment undigested fat is also eliminated.

This possible magic bullet against obesity has been available on grocery stores and pharmacies around America since from Friday, June 15th. Reports around the country seem to indicate the diet drug had a strong launch. Non-prescription diet pill Alli (low-dose Xenical) got another piece of good news on June 29th when Sanofi-Aventis formally abandoned any hopes of early approval of its prescription diet drug Acomplia.

The pill is expected to retail for around $60 for a month's supply, based on a patient taking three before-meal pills a day, and Glaxo executives told that the company is hoping 5 million to 6 million Americans will give the nonprescription diet drug a try. But, Alli has side effects likely to deter acceptance, including sometimes causing diarrhea and flatulence.