Weight loss drug tied to increased risk of cancer, says watchdog group

By Elizabeth Rhein

Published on April 14, 2006

Not only does the watchdog group feel that Xenical is inappropriate for over-the-counter use, but they also present findings showing that the drug is too dangerous to be prescribed by doctors either.

Last week, drug maker GlaxoSmithKline was given the go-ahead by the FDA to sell Xenical without a prescription, pending certain criteria not released at press time. The non-prescription version would be called Alli and contain half the amount of active ingredients as prescription Xenical.

According to Public Citizen, several different studies confirm that Xenical can cause lesions in the lining of the colons of mice given the drug. These lesions are accepted to be precursors to colon cancer.

Some experts, including those at the FDA, feel that the risk of cancer from Xenical must be weighed carefully against the theoretical link between obesity and the theoretical development of some forms of cancer.

If you are currently taking Xenical and are concerned about its possible effects, you should speak with your doctor to determine the best course of action.

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