Thyroid patients and over the counter weight loss drugs sometimes do not mix well. If you have hypothyroidism and take one of the several over the counter weight loss drugs like Alli or have a prescription for Xenical, they can affect the absorption of your prescribed thyroid medication and end up making you more hypothyroid. Experts are now saying that you should wait 4 hours after taking your prescription medication before you take an over the counter weight loss drug like Alli. They also advise that you have your thyroid levels checked more often to make sure you do not need to adjust your dosage when taking weight loss products.
You should only take a weight loss product if it has been approved of by the FDA. Fat blocking drugs like Alli or Xenical have been approved by the FDA. Alli is the brand name for the medication Orlistat. Xenical is a prescription medication that is a higher dosage of orlistat and is sold under the brand name Xenical. Even though both of these medications have been approved by the FDA, there is now a warning that drug interactions with your thyroid medication can exasperate hypothyroidism. As a result, the FDA has added the warning that "XENICAL and levothyroxine should be taken at least 4 hours apart."
Counter Stools
Weight loss drugs approved by the FDA are for those who are obese or morbidly obese. They are taken by many who suffer from hypothyroidism in an effort to lose weight. The problem is, the claims made about these drugs can be overly hyped and the proper warnings are not heeded by those who are desperate to loose weight. If you have a low functioning or slow thyroid, it is very difficult for you to lose weight. Any product that claims that you will be able to lose weight without effort on your part is misleading.
Ephedra was approved of by the FDA but had so many dangerous side affects that it had to be taken off the market. How much more dangerous was it for those who were on thyroid medication? The FDA now warns consumers to beware of weight loss products that have the following words added in their advertisements: effortless, easy, magical, secret ingredient, new discovery or exotic, etc.
Xenical and the over the counter drug Alli, work to prevent the absorption of fats. If you decide to take Alli or Exenical, be prepared to suffer the side effects of diarrhea, cramping, leakage of oily stool, flatulence and abdominal discomfort. Many people who take these medications find they need to wear depends. These side effects are not pleasant and since the medication may interfere with your thyroid medication, it is safe to say that thyroid patients and over the counter weight loss medications may not mix. It is better to try to lose weight naturally by making the necessary but healthy dietary changes you need by adding in more thyroid friendly foods.