Roche’ Xenical May Cause Liver Damage

Boston (DbTechNo) – The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is taking a look at a diet drug from Roche and GlaxoSmithKline over claims it may cause liver damage.

The drug is called Xenical and is actually manufactured by Roche, with an over the counter version made by Glaxo.

The drug is used by people to help them lose weight but since 1999, the FDA have received more than 30 reports of severe liver damage in people taking it.

The generic name for the drug is orlistat and is a big seller in America.

It is sold under the brand name Alli, which is available without a prescription.

The FDA says that those people currently taking Alli should not stop taking it but use it as directed.

According to Glaxo, there is no biological mechanism that would suggest the drug promotes liver damage, because it works in the gastrointestinal tract.

“The FDA’s analysis of these data is ongoing, and no definite association between liver injury and orlistat has been established at this time,” the agency
said.

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