Anti-obesity Drug Helps Weight Loss, Problem Is People's Staying Power

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Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 15 Feb 2006 - 16:00 PDT


An anti-obesity drug, Acomplia (rimonabant) showed promise in a two year study. However, researchers at New York's Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons said there was a very high drop-out rate.

The researchers said further study is needed to monitor the drug's long term effects.

Rimonabant belongs to Sanofi-Aventis S.A., they also funded the study. An approval decision on Rimonabant should be made soon by the FDA (USA). Many say it could become a blockbuster (big seller).

You can read about this study in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association).

The study involved over 3,000 patients. According to the report, Acomplia, combined with diet and exercise promotes modest but sustained reductions in weight and waist circumference. It also brings about improvements in cholesterol and triglyceride levels - apparently, twice that expected from weight loss alone.

After one year, 48% of the participants experienced a minimum weight loss of 5%. The amount of weight lost correlated with the dosage of the drug.

Acomplia (rimonabant) blocks canabinoid receptors which stimulate eating. That is why many people are hungry after consuming marijuana. The canabinoid receptors can be found in the brain and other body tissues.

There was a higher incidence of psychiatric disorders among the rimonabant users when compared to those who were on placebos.

The number of obese and overweight people is increasing dramatically all over the world. The USA was the first country to notice its people were getting fatter and fatter, then Canada, Australia and Western Europe, and now the rest of the world. Nutritionists and health experts say the main reason is diet and physical inactivity.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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