Consumers may soon be able to purchase a brand new over the counter weight loss pill. Federal health advisors have already given their go ahead, but it still needs FDA approval before it goes on sale nationwide. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is in position to offer this fat blocking pill to the public. They are shooting for a release date by the end of this year.

Consumers want to know if this is ground breaking news or if this is another attempt to rob them of their hard earned cash. The difference between this new diet pill, called orlistat and currently being sold with a doctor's prescription as Xenical, and several others from the past are that orlistat is garnering nationwide media and public interest.

"Everyone is getting excited about taking a magic pill," states Lynn VanDyke, elite personal fitness professional and fitness nutritionist. "It all sounds brilliantly simple until we read about its side effects and cost."

In 6 month clinical trials, obese people taking orlistat lost 5.3 - 6.2 pounds more than those given a placebo. Representatives from GlaxoSmithKline also announced that at $12-$25 per week for the pill over 5 million people in America would buy the drug if it sold over the counter.

VanDyke explains, "The corporations are planning on making over $1 billion per year in sales if orlistat is sold over the counter. As consumers we must educate ourselves and hold ourselves personally responsible. This drug has shown unpleasant side effects in half of the trial participants. That's just outrageous."

GlaxoSmithKline lists orlistat's possible side effects as loose and oily stools, gas, incontinence and oily spotting. Even the FDA panel members are concerned with how this diet pill will interact with diabetics, bulimics, organ transplant patients and those taking other prescription pills. Watchdog groups such as Public Citizen urged the panel to reject the company's application, calling it a "desperate attempt to revive this barely effective drug by an OTC switch."

"All in all, the magic pill leaves you bloated and oily. It stops working once you stop taking it. That adds up to between $288 and $600 per 6 months. That is how long the GlaxoSmithKline recommends taking this pill before stopping for a break. I would much rather learn a few simple tools on how to eat well and live a healthy life than take this so-called miracle pill," says VanDyke.

Consumers who are in dire straits to lose fat but are concerned with the side effects and cost of orlistat are being referred to the Melt the Fat Interactive Guide (more info at http://melt-the-fat.com). It provides detailed step-by-step processes that develop a healthy lifestyle filled with fitness, eating to live and life goal setting.