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A health research advocate has called the government's decision to approve an over-the-counter version of a diet pill the "height of recklessness."



Dr. Sidney Wolfe says studies have linked the prescription version of the drug, called Xenical, with pre-cancerous lesions of the colon.



The director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group says the plans to market a non-prescription version are a "dangerous mistake" in light of what he calls the product's "marginal benefits." He also says the diet pill can have "bothersome adverse reactions."



The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that it had approved sales of a lower-dose version of Xenical. The non-prescription version is called "alli."



Officials stress that it needs to be used in combination with a diet and exercise program — and that using the pill alone isn't likely to do any good.



The FDA said the fat-blocking weight-loss pill orlistat, which has been available by prescription, can be sold in a reduced-strength version over the counter.



The new version will be sold as "alli" by GlaxoSmithKline PLC. Xenical, the prescription version, is made by Roche Holding AG.



GlaxoSmithKline chose the name "alli" because it's supposed to be "allied" with a weight-loss program, including exercise and healthy eating, reports CBS News correspondent Dan Raviv.



The drug is intended for people 18 and older to use along with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise.



Dr. Charles Ganley, the FDA's director of nonprescription products, stressed that the drug is intended for use along with diet and exercise programs. "Using this drug alone is unlikely to be beneficial," Ganley said.



Ganley said in trials, for every five pounds people lost through diet and exercise, those using orlistat lost an additional two to three pounds.



When taken with meals, orlistat blocks the absorption of about one-quarter of any fat consumed. That fat — about 150 to 200 calories worth — is passed out of the body in stools, which can be loose as a result. About half of patients in trials experienced gastrointestinal side effects.



The agency recommended users take a multivitamin when using this drug.



The new drug would contain half the dose of Xenical prescription capsules. The price has not been set but is expected to run $1 to $2 a day, company officials said. The company estimates that 5 million to 6 million Americans a year would buy the drug over the counter.



The Food and Drug Administration said the most common side effect of the product is a change in bowel habits including loose stool and some oily spotting. Eating a low-fat diet will reduce the likelihood of this side effect.



FDA said people who have had organ transplants should not take OTC orlistat because of possible drug interactions. In addition, anyone taking blood-thinning medicines or being treated for diabetes or thyroid disease should consult a physician before using orlistat, the agency said.



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