Users of Rimonabant (Acomplia) Risk Psychiatric Problems
In the UK, around 97,000 overweight and obese people have been prescribed the drug - and about 20,000 are currently taking it.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed to ban the drug last year, believing that the manufacturers had not shown that it was safe. (See BBC news report, Suicide risk fears over diet pill.)
The BBC news site states:
But data from more recent studies, and from Sanofi-Aventis [the company who developed rimonabant] itself, has shown there is around double the risk of psychiatric disorders in obese or overweight patients taking rimonabant compared to those taking dummy pills.And between June and August 2008, there were five suicides among patients taking part in a trial who were on the drug, compared with one among those taking the dummy version.
The advice to patients currently taking rimonabant is that they do not need to stop taking the medication immediately, but should make an appointment with their doctor to discuss their treatment.
More like this in Science · Oct 27, 2008
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Looks like it's back to caloric restriction and regular exercise. What a surprise.
-Steve
ReplyIt looks as if Acomplia as a brand name is sunk - it would be of little surprise to find Rimonabant rebranded and repackaged (albeit) in a lower dosage and made available via the non prescription market.
Replyhttp://www.kentgarden.co.uk
I was prescribed Rimonabant 10 days ago, I took the first 8 days worth of pills then the drugs where suspended. I have decided to stop taking this medication the thought of sudden death and the bad side effects are enough for me not to want to put this chemical into my body.I was getting some side effects. I am upset that I was not told this medication was still on trial, this is a worry as its obvious that there are extreme long time effects for some users.There are no real trials on the long term effects of this either . Over the first 8 days of taking this medication, I lost 6LB perhaps mainly water.For all of you looking to lose weight look at your diet & be honest.You may also have a food tolerance / allergy. I am sure you will find that you can change it, then add excercise.I have and a week later am still losing the weight as well as eating a healthy whole food diet with no hunger pangs!! Hurrah!!!! good Luck
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