Rimonabant: Possible Obesity Drug

In ways to combat obesity, doctors have tried many things. While harping on slightly overweight patients may be one of the most effective tactics in their current arsenal, researchers continue to work on ways to help those legitimately trying to fight the Battle of the Bulge. It may help to make the healthier, lower fat foods actually tasty that has eluded scientists so far.

One item in development that may help overweight patients shed the pounds is an "obesity pill." A drug called Rimonabant causes the person taking it to feel less hungry. The chemical works by targeting the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate the body weight. Cannabinoid receptors can be throughout the body and stimulate cravings. Rimonabant works by blocking these receptors. A side benefit of taking the medication is that it lowers triglycerides and HDL (aka bad) cholesterol.

Although doctors have high hopes for this medication, they worn that it will not be a cure all. Like all other things developed to help a person lose weight, the person taking the drug can easily eat their way through it. A further drawback of a medication to treat obesity is that if you stop taking it the cravings will return. For those who have had trouble maintaining a healthy weight even after they make healthy changes to their diet, the obesity pill may be a helpful part of their weight control strategies. A side benefit of the pill is that it may help people who want to quit cigarettes do so, because the same system is involved in the body's reaction to tobacco cravings.

When the company doing research to manufacture the drug performed a study, they found that the participants taking 20 milligrams of rimonabant a day showed significant weight loss improvement over the people in the control group who were not given the substance. The drug is not yet currently available on the market. Other attempts at such pills have shown that while taking the drug may be safe when beginning to take the medication, other possibly severe complications have developed within six months. While it has shown to be safe in its use so far, further and longer trials of the drug are needed before consumer safety can be assured. Currently only two medications for long-term treatment of obesity are on the market. Should this prove safe, a third will be added.

Sources:

http://www.drugdevelopment-technology.com/projects/rimonabant/

"Fighting Fat. New Frontiers." Patricia Curtis. Reader's Digest. January 2007. New York, New York