Acomplia

Acomplia is a prescription anti-obesity drug manufactured by Sanofi Aventis used to aid obese or overweight patients with the associated risk factors of high diabetes or high cholesterol lose weight. Acomplia contains an active ingredient called rimonabant, which is a type of medicine known as a cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonist and works as an appetite suppressant. Acomplia is approved for use within the European Union and has been available to patients in the UK since the 28th of June 2006, but has yet to be approved by the FDA in the US.

How does Acomplia work?

Acomplia works by blocking receptors called cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB1). These receptors are found in the brain, fat tissue, digestive system, liver, and muscles. Over activation of these receptors is associated with an increase in appetite, cravings for food and fat build-up.

Rimonabant, the active ingredient of Acomplia, works to block these CB1 receptors and causes a patient to experience a decrease in their appetite, allowing them to control their hunger which consequently results in significant weight loss.

What are the other benefits Acomplia?

There are other benefits of Acomplia as well, it is said that Acomplia helps in smoking cessation. However, this benefit of Acomplia is yet to be approved by health authorities and you should not order Acomplia for this purpose. Rimonabant may also increase blood levels of “good fats” called HDL-cholesterol and reduce blood levels of "bad fats" called triglycerides as an added benefit.

Is Acomplia clinically tested?

In a placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial, 287 male and female patients 18 to 65 years of age with a body mass index (BMI) of 29 to 41 were randomized to receive 5mg, 10mg, or 20mg of rimonabant or placebo while on a slight calorie-controlled diet.

After 16 weeks, patients receiving rimonabant lost two to four times more weight on an average than placebo. In addition, the waist circumference among patients taking rimonabant decreased more than placebo.

What are the side effects of Acomplia?

The side effects of Acomplia are temporary and transient in nature and include nausea, dizziness, diarrhoea, vomiting, hypoglycaemia, anxiety, and mood swings.

Will I be able to take Acomplia?

If you are obese (BMI over 30), or are overweight (BMI between 27 and 30) and are at risk for medical conditions related to weight or body fat, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension, you can get Acomplia prescription.

If you have any of the following conditions, you cannot take Acomplia:

• over 75 years of age
• decreased liver function
• decreased kidney function
• had a heart attack or stroke in the last six months
• history of depression or suicidal thoughts
• epilepsy
• allergy to rimonabant or any other ingredient of Acomplia

Acomplia should be taken with care in people who have following health conditions:

• Severely decreased liver and/or kidney function
• Uncontrolled serious psychiatric illness
• Major depressive illness
• People taking antidepressant medicines
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding

Note:

• If you are under the treatment of major depressive illness and are also taking antidepressants for it, do not take Acomplia
• Acomplia should not be taken by patients who have or had in past, suicidal thoughts or depressive disorder. If however it is found that the benefits of Acomplia far outweigh the risks then take Acomplia after consulting a doctor
• Patients with uncontrolled psychiatric illness excluding depression should avoid taking Acomplia
• Consider the risk of taking Acomplia yourself and with your caretakers or relatives before you take it
• If at anytime you experience any symptoms of depression, stop taking Acomplia immediately