What is Acomplia?
Acomplia is the brand name of a new prescription weight loss drug
for dieters, Rimonabant, that has recently (June 28th, 2006) been approved
for use by patients in the UK.
Who is Acomplia suitable for?
It is designed as a slimming aid for obese patients or overweight
patients with other risk factors such as type 2 diabetes or dyslipidaemia
- see BMI for the definitions of what constitutes overweight or obese.
In particular, the drug reduces the risk of heart disease and type 2
diabetes. It may also help people to stop smoking, although it has not
yet been licensed for this purpose.
What results can I expect?
In clinical trials, over one year 33% of patients lost more than 10%
of their initial bodyweight, with nearly two thirds of patients losing
over 5%. Patients were placed on a calorie controlled diet whilst on
the trial, but still lost statistically significantly more weight than
the control group who were only given a calorie controlled diet to follow
and a placebo.
Will I regain the weight lost?
Patients who took the drug for a further year did not regain the weight
lost. However, it is reasonable to assume, in the absense of any data
to the contrary, that once patients stop taking the drug completely,
the weight will be regained.
How does it work?
Acomplia tablets contain the active ingredient rimonabant, which is
a type of medicine called a cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonist. It is
used to aid weight loss in people who are obese or overweight.Rimonabant
works by blocking receptors called cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB1). These
are found in the brain, fat tissue, digestive system, liver and muscles.The
CB1 receptors are part of a system in the body called the endocannabinoid
system. This system has only recently been discovered and explored.
It is involved in regulating energy balance, sugar and fat metabolism
and body weight.The CB1 receptors found in a particular area of the
brain called the mesolimbic system are involved in controlling our intake
of highly palatable, sweet or fatty foods. Overactivation of the CB1
receptors is associated with increased appetite, cravings for food and
fat build-up.Rimonabant blocks CB1 receptors and so reduces cravings
for these types of foods and helps decrease appetite and control hunger.
Rimonabant may also increase blood levels of "good fats" called
HDL-cholesterol and reduce blood levels of "bad fats" called
triglycerides.Obesity is caused by consuming more energy in food than
than the body needs for the amount of physical activity it is doing.
This means that reducing hunger and food cravings is only part of the
solution to weight loss. It is important to continue to follow a reduced
calorie diet and exercise program while taking this medicine. Ask your
doctor for advice about this.
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