Sales of diet pill alli (low-dose Xenical), which got off to a stronger than expected start after its mid-June launch, leveled off in August as the initial buzz faded and many who tried the new diet drug failed to stick with it beyond the first few weeks, according to anaysts and a sampling of drug stores.

John Clarke, GlaxoSmithKline's head of consumer business, reported in July sales in the first few weeks totaled a surprising $156 million and were "exceeding expectations."

While an update from Glaxo on sales in the third quarter is not expected for at least another month, reports reaching us from around the country suggest that the first FDA-approved non-prescription weight-loss product is no longer flying off the shelves.

Still, the over-the-counter pill remains the top-selling weight loss product on Amazon.com, though it gets the fewest stars -- three and one-half -- of any product near the top of the Amazon list.

The reason is clearly linked to the very mixed feelings that consumers have about a drug that requires strick adherence to a relatively low-fat diet to avoid experiencing the now well-known side-effects.

Reviews of alli on the Amazon site reflect this variety of experiences.

"I have lost eight pounds in just over two weeks with no side effects," a Michigan woman wrote. "This is a great way to lose weight if you use it correctly."

"I started taking it as soon as it came out and i am already down 5 lbs," a California woman added. "I just take it 15 minutes before eating and eat low fat. I am taking it with a group of 4 people at the office and they have had similar results."

But for every person who seems pleased, several express unhappiness with what Glaxo calls "treatment effects" and others write about in more scatalogical terms.

"I tried alli and was really getting into the diet, counting my fat grams and calories, however, it still had me cramping and rushing to the bathroom within the first half hour or so after the meal," a Virginia dieter wrote. "Then the effects would stay with me throughout the day. Gas, bloating, more gas, orange/yellow stools...ick! not at all worth it."

"I was not able to continue with this product," wrote a Long Island dieter. "I had severe headaches and stomach cramps even with following a low fat diet.

"The smell comes out your pores," another dieter added. "You constantly are letting out gas. The bathroom is left smelling very unpleasant. I threw the remaining pills after one week of agony away in the trash."

" I bought into this product because of all the media hype it received," one man wrote. After two weeks agony, I threw in the towel. I have to ask: Has anyone ever bought this product a 2nd time? Not me, anyway."