The Philadelphia Inquirer - 2006 Whole Article. Sanofi-Aventis SA's new treatment, Acomplia, also known as rimonabant, has shown promise in a half-dozen clinical trials in curbing the cravings that make people hungry.

Acomplia | Rimonabant: Weight Loss and Quit Smoking Help

The experimental drug, which works differently from other weight loss medicines, could be approved by the Food and Drug Administration as soon as March, 2006. And industry analysts predict it could become the world's first blockbuster antiobesity (Weight Loss) treatment, with annual sales of 2 billion to 4 billion euros, or $2.4 billion to $4.8 billion. EPH200 Diet Pill

If Acomplia gets marketing approval from the FDA later this month, Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis has said it could begin selling the Rimonabant pill by June 30 - 2006.  

What is Acomplia (rimonabant)?

A single pill has been found to stop food cravings enough to help people lose weight, and could also help curb other unhealthy urges. Named Acomplia the drug in one study helped people who were overweight drop an average of 20 pounds - a significant weight loss. Acomplia contains the active ingredient Rimonabant.

How does Acomplia (rimonabant) work?

Rimonabant (which will be brought to market as Acomplia) works by blocking the CB1 receptor, one of two receptors found in a newly described physiological system called the Endocannabinoid System (EC System), believed to play a critical role in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure.

Researchers wondered whether a drug that halted this action might curb appetite, and in 2001, the first animal study was conducted at the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in Bethesda, Md.

In the study, genetically altered mice that lacked cannabinoid receptors ate less than their litter mates, even after 18 hours of fasting. When the normal mice were given rimonabant, which blocked their CB1 receptors, the mice reduced their food intake. In 2002, Sanofi-Synthelabo began human testing.

Acomplia works by selectively targeting and blocking the CB1 receptors, helping normalize the over-activation of the EC system and making hunger or other cravings more manageable.

This blocking of signals that control cravings appears to result in weight loss, improvement of cardiovascular/ metabolic risk factors in overweight/obese patients and appears to reduce tobacco dependence without post cessation weight gain in people who smoke.

Side Effects of Acomplia (rimonabant)?

Acomplia was said to be well tolerated in early tests. The only relatively common side effects were mild GI side effects and dizziness, and these were said to be transient.