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The weight loss drug rimonabant (known under various brand names, including Acomplia) has recently been approved for use by the National Health Service in the UK. It has not been approved for use in the US due to fears about its safety.

Tell me more…

Well, the drug was first launched in 2006 and is currently being used in 56 countries, the UK, Germany and France being the highest consumers of this product. Up until now rimonabant has only been available privately in the UK. The drug was developed when it was discovered that cannabis smokers often experienced increased appetites. Scientists believed that if substances from cannabis that stimulated the appetite could be blocked then the reverse might happen: a reduction in appetite, making this a type of hunger suppressant drug.

So what are the dangers?

According to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) up to 10% of patients may develop depressive reactions which can include anything from mild mood disorders, depression and a small percentage suffering from panic attacks and suicidal thoughts (which seems similar to the side effects experienced by cannabis users from which the drug is derived - Beeble).

Why prescribe rimonabant?

This drug is recommended for obese patients whose body mass index (BMI) is greater or equal to 30 and for overweight patients with a BMI greater than 27 who are at risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

What should I do?

If you are taking rimonabant (Acomplia) and are worried, then you should see your doctor. The chances are that you have been prescribed this drug for a very good reason: the risk to your health from your weight gain is probably higher than the risk of side effects from taking this drug. Also you may have found alternative weight loss drugs have not suited you. Most side effects appear during the first few weeks of taking the drug and if this happens tell your doctor.

Some important facts:

In the UK rimonabant has been approved for use with a diet and exercise program and should only continue beyond six months if the patient has lost at least 5 per cent of their body weight while on the drug.

Beeble’s point of view

Regular readers are probably already aware that we are anti drug use for weight loss, nutrition or fitness. Therefore it should be no surprise that we do not recommend you to take this drug unless it has been prescribed by a doctor for serious medical reasons. Your health and fitness is a lifestyle change; there is no magic drug that does all the work for you. You must understand that it has probably taken you years to get out of shape and so it will take a long time to get back to a healthy weight. Set yourself small reachable goals to achieve, these will set you in the right direction to reach your end goal. We only condone drug taking for health benefits if there is no alternative and your wellbeing is in danger.

We’re here to help

You may find the following helpful in your need to lose weight.

•    What body type am I?
•    Exercise and Lose Weight
•    Metabolic Rate and Weight Loss: What is the link?
•    Workout your Inner Self First

There are many more articles that can help you, please just click through the catagories in the left hand menu.

Sources and Further reading:

•    www.mhra.gov.uk
•    http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20080625/tuk-nhs-approval-for-weight-loss-drug-dba1618.html
•    http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/weight_loss/weight_loss_tablets/rimonabant-acomplia-uk.htm

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