NEW ORLEANS and PITTSBURGH, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Data presented at the 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting of NAASO, The Obesity Society, found that patient satisfaction with alli(R) (orlistat 60mg), the only FDA- approved, over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss product, was connected to the product's effectiveness in helping them lose weight, and not to potential gastrointestinal (GI) treatment effects. This is important because these data show that the weight loss achieved with alli strongly motivates subjects to continue treatment regardless if they are experiencing treatment effects.
In the study, very few subjects (<5%) stopped taking alli because of treatment effects and were able to maximize their weight loss. Interestingly, treatment effects were viewed by many alli users as a positive feedback tool that helps them become more aware of hidden fats in foods.
Many patients have reported significant weight loss and high satisfaction when following the alli weight loss plan. Treatment effects are characterized by predictable GI side effects when alli is taken with meals with too much fat. "Since having my first child, I have been carrying around extra weight and now I'm a mother of three," said Jaime Clear, a 28-year-old alli First Team member from Henderson, Nevada. "I committed to losing the weight with alli and have lost 20 pounds in 10 weeks. The treatment effects have been manageable and have kept me honest about my diet." The alli First Team is a group of 406 men and women that was formed after alli was approved by the FDA, and given the opportunity to use alli at no cost before it was available in stores.
This cumulative data analysis evaluated controlled and non-controlled studies on alli (orlistat 60mg) to examine the overall tolerability profile. The analysis of controlled studies shows that during the first week of treatment with alli, the overall incidence of most treatment effects was generally low (3% to 8%). In addition the overall rate was 33 percent lower than the orlistat 120mg group. In fact, researchers determined that when alli was used for three months without physician supervision in a non-controlled setting, the overall incidence of treatment effects was 20 percent lower compared to controlled studies. These data support the proposition that most patients can successfully modify their eating habits to comply with the alli plan.
"The alli data we're reviewing show that treatment effects are not a major issue for most patients taking alli because they are highly motivated by the weight loss achieved. In addition, many alli users have repeatedly told us that they view treatment effects as a positive tool to help make them aware of hidden fats in foods. Thus, alli capsules, in addition to the alli program, provides patients with a powerful tool that they can use to achieve their weight loss goals and embrace healthier lifestyle behaviors," commented Vidhu Bansal-Dev, PharmD, director, Medical Affairs, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.
Consumer Feedback
In addition to the cumulative data analysis released at NAASO, recently collected consumer data show overall satisfaction with the alli weight loss program was ranked at 85 percent among alli First Team members. Moreover, a new consumer survey conducted by Nielsen and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare showed nearly 70 percent of people reported losing weight after starting the alli program.
About Overweight and Obesity
Currently, approximately 65 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. Research suggests that overweight individuals appear to be on the pathway to obesity. Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of developing health problems such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Factors that can contribute to overweight include an abundance of high-calorie foods, low levels of physical activity, behavior, environment, and genetics. Multiple studies have shown that a modest reduction in weight improves health outcomes significantly in overweight or obese patients.
About alli(R) Weight Loss Aid
alli (orlistat 60mg), the only FDA-approved weight-loss product available to overweight adults without a prescription, combines a clinically-proven product with a comprehensive individualized action plan. The alli program encourages modest, gradual weight loss, known by experts as the best way to lose weight. alli is to be taken three times a day with meals containing fat and has been available in pharmacies and mass retailers nationwide since June 15, 2007.
About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
GSK Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette(R), NicoDerm(R) CQ and Commit(R) as well as many medicine cabinet staples, including Abreva(R), Aquafresh(R), Sensodyne(R), Tums(R) and Breathe Right(R).
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: http://www.gsk.com.
CONTACT: Malesia Dunn, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare,
+1-412-200-3544, malesia.a.dunn@gsk.com, or David Schemelia, HealthSTAR
Public Relations, +1-646-722-8819, dschemelia@healthstarpr.com, for
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
Web site: http://www.gsk.com/
