Recently, the first over-the-counter, FDA-approved weight loss pill went on the market. The new diet pill, Alli, interferes with fat absorption from the diet. Current information indicates that taking this capsule prevents about 25 percent of the fat in the diet from being absorbed, which may result in weight loss. Needless to say, customers are storming drugstores and buying this product in droves.

But does it work? In general, the answer is sometimes. Only 20 percent of people who take Alli can expect to lose more than 10 percent of their body weight; 50 percent of people will lose less than 5 percent. So, a person weighing 200 pounds has a 50 percent chance of losing 10 pounds or less.

Alli is restricted to those over 18 and should only be considered by those classified as obese, which is defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. In general, these individuals are at least 20 to 30 pounds overweight. Although the drug begins to work immediately, whether you lose weight depends on how much you are eating, the percentage of your diet that is in the form of fat and whether you are making lifestyle changes, such as exercising and developing better eating habits.

In general, Alli helps you lose more weight than if you used diet and exercise alone. Clinical research reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration indicates that adding Alli to a diet regimen leads to an additional 2 to 3 pounds of weight loss for every 5 pounds lost by exercise and diet. If you consume 2,000 calories a day and 30 percent of that is fat, Alli would block somewhere around 150 calories. Remember, 1 pound of weight loss equals 3,500 calories.

The major downside of Alli is the often-embarrassing side effects. Alli causes bloating, abdominal pain and gastric distress accompanied by other unpleasantness.

Every nutrition expert across the country urges caution in using this drug, raising concerns that Alli could cause severe deficiencies of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K and E. Ultimately, this brings into question its long-term safety. While the drug has been extensively researched and appears to be safe, it is not uncommon that once a drug has been used by millions of patients, adverse effects may be reported. You may remember Zelnorm, which was used to treat constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. After being advertised widely and used by millions, it was suddenly removed from the market as it was found to increase the risk of heart disease. Approval by the Food and Drug Administration does not make a drug foolproof: Every drug has a chance of future complications and problems.

If you are overweight, please do not be duped by any "quick-fix" approach. The best diet is the Don't Diet Diet. Eat right, exercise, watch portion sizes and, whether you are chubby or thin, your chances of attaining better health are greater. If you want to hasten weight loss, you may consider taking Alli. But make sure it is part of a bigger plan. Visit the Alli Web site and become informed about every element of the drug therapy. I would certainly follow their suggestions and work with an expert to develop a safe and rational diet and lifestyle change. Only then can the drug be truly effective.

As for me, I would never try it. The side effects sound awful, and years of experience tell us that diet pills never work. I predict that this new and promising approach to weight loss, like every other weight loss "breakthrough," will do no more than put money in the pocket of the manufacturer. Diets fail, and so will this. The only way to live a healthy life is by making healthier choices. No pill can do that for you.

Dr. David Lipschitz is the author of the book "Breaking the Rules of Aging." To find out more about Dr. David Lipschitz, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. More information is available at www.drdavidhealth.com.