(WXYZ) - The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about a counterfeit form of the weight loss drug Alli.
Tests have determined that the fake Alli does not contain the drug's active ingredient orlistat. It contains the controlled substance sibutramine instead. Sibutramine is a drug that should not be used by certain people or without physician oversight. It can also interact with other medications.
The fake Alli began popping up in December. So far it has only been found in internet sales and there is no evidence it has reached retail stores.
The counterfeit Alli product looks similar to the authentic product, with a few notable differences. The counterfeit Alli has:
- Outer cardboard packaging missing a “Lot” code
- Expiration date that includes the month, day, and year; authentic Alli expiration date includes only the month and year
- Packaging in a plastic bottle that has a slightly taller and wider cap with coarser ribbing than the genuine product
- Plain foil inner safety seal under the plastic cap without any printed words; the authentic product seal is printed with “SEALED for YOUR PROTECTION”
- Contains larger capsules with a white powder, instead of small white pellets
Consumers who believe they have received counterfeit Alli are asked to contact the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) by calling 800-551-3989 or by visiting the OCI Web site (
http://www.fda.gov/OCI).
