While not approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States, Acomplia is a weight loss drug prescribed for obesity treatment in the European Union.Sanofi-Aventis: Acomplia Approved in the European Union (June 20, 2006)

It was the first cannabinoid receptor type one blocker to ever gain approval by any drug-approving body. However, as of October 23, 2008 the EMEA recommended that rimonabant be suspended from the drug market, and it was subsequently suspended on that recommendation.Sanofi-aventis: Investor Update

Acomplia works by blocking the brain circuits that are responsible for hunger. It is used in combination with diet and exercise to lose weight.

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Suicidal thoughts

In 2007, the FDA review panel recommended against approval of Zimulti, the United States brand name for Acomplia, due to concerns about psychiatric side effects.WebMD: FDA Panel Rejects Obesity Drug Zimulti (June 13, 2007)

The field of obesity drugs is long and fraught with failure. Historical Roman treatments included laxatives and purgatives. In 1933, DNP was introduced, and discovered to cause fatal increases in heat at a cellular level.MedCEU: Obesity: The Disease, Treatment, and Drugs Amphetamines became popular around the same time, combined with a number of other drugs to counteract the side effects of amphetamines, but were implicated in a number of deaths in the late 60's and were banned for weight loss in 1979. A combination of phentermine and fenfluramine became extremely popular in 1992, and subsequently was found to cause heart disease in up to 30% of users.MedCEU: Obesity: The Disease, Treatment, and Drugs

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before taking Acomplia