What is Acomplia (Rimonabant)
Acomplia (rimonabant) is a safe and effective diet drug that can help people who are very overweight to safely and effectively lose weight and keep it off. In studies, one third of subjects who took Acomplia lost 10% of their total body weight, and they were able to keep that weight off for at least two years.
Since Acomplia interferes with messages to the brain, hunger is reduced as a result of taking it. In addition, Acomplia can reduce cravings for nicotine and help smokers quit smoking. Acomplia has also been shown to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It appears to have a regulating effect on blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
How Acomplia works
Acomplia is a CB-1 receptor antagonist, meaning that it blocks specific receptors (known as cannabinoid or CB-1 receptors) so that they do not receive messages of hunger.
CB-1 is one of two receptors in a system known as the Endocannabinoid System (EC), which communicates messages related to hunger and energy expenditure to the brain. The receptors are located on fat cells and on cells throughout the nervous system, particularly the section of the brain known as the hypothalamus. It is thought that CB-1 receptors are overactive in people who are overweight.
When the receptors are overactive, the body is bombarded with messages of hunger. By preventing CB-1 receptors from receiving (and ultimately communicating) messages that a person is hungry, Acomplia can suppress appetite so that a person will eat less and lose weight safely and effectively.
How Acomplia helps smokers quit
The EC system is not only connected to appetite and food intake, but it is also associated with cravings. Because of this unique function, Acomplia may also help smokers to quit smoking. The reason it works in this way is that smoking stimulates the EC system, and over time, an imbalance is created, causing smokers to continue to crave nicotine. When Acomplia blocks the CB-1 receptors and prevents hunger messages, it also blocks cravings for nicotine in smokers who have developed an imbalance in the EC system.
In studies, chronic smokers who participated in Rimonabant obesity studies were also able to stop smoking. The fact that Acomplia can help to curb both hunger and nicotine cravings at the same time means that overweight smokers who quit smoking while using Acomplia are less likely to gain weight. This is a major benefit since weight gain is often a concern for people who want to stop smoking.
Are there side effects with Acomplia
While all drugs have some side effects, the side effects of Acomplia are mild compared to the side effects of other diet pills. People who do experience side effects, which may include dizziness, nausea, depression or anxiety, generally do not stop using Acomplia because of them. Most side effects disappear over time as the body adjusts to Acomplia.
The best candidates for Acomplia
Acomplia is specifically designed for people who are obese (body mass index of 30 or greater) and for people who are overweight (body mass index of 27-30) and also have factors such as diabetes or elevated cholesterol levels. Acomplia may also be useful for overweight smokers who want to quit smoking.
Who should not use Acomplia
People with liver or kidney disease should not use Acomplia. This is because the liver metabolizes the drug and the kidneys excrete it, so these systems need to be healthy in order to avoid problems from taking Acomplia.
Acomplia is also not recommended for people who have a history of depression or any other psychiatric condition. Since being overweight is often associated with depression, it is important to manage pre-existing depression with psychotherapy or other interventions before Acomplia is considered. In controlled situations under a physician's care, it is possible for people with depression to use Acomplia.
There are several populations for which the safety and effectiveness of Acomplia has not been studied. These groups, which include people over the age of 75, children under the age of 19, people with epilepsy, pregnant women and women who are breast-feeding, should not use Acomplia.
Since Acomplia pills contain lactose, people with certain types of lactose intolerance, particularly intolerance for galactose, should not use it.
What kind of results do people treated with Acomplia typically get
In studies, one third of subjects who were given a 20 mg dose of Acomplia daily lost an average of 20 pounds and 10% of their initial body weight in the first year and were able to keep the weight off for an additional year. The subjects achieved these results in conjunction with a low calorie diet. Subjects in the control group followed the same low calorie diet but were given a placebo instead of Acomplia.
Are there drug interactions with Acomplia
There are some drug interactions possible with Acomplia, so it is important for patients to tell their doctors what other prescription or non-prescription medications they are taking before beginning treatment with Acomplia.
The recommended dosage
Acomplia is prescribed in doses of 20mg to be taken once per day in the morning before eating. In order to minimize side effects, the pills should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water, not crushed or chewed.
