Acomplia’s long term use worries experts

Acomplia is probably the most hyped prescription diet pill after Fen-Phen. One only hopes that it does not meet the same fate as Fen-Phen. Acomplia is available in Europe but still awaits it approval in the United States. Just a few months of launch, some experts hail it as a major breakthrough in the treatment of obesity while some experts are extremely worried about its side effects after a prolonged use.

The researchers reported that Acomplia did help users lose an average of 15 pounds over one year. And the drug may also have an added health benefit, since it also seemed to lower levels of dangerous blood fats known as triglycerides while boosting blood levels of HDL "good" cholesterol.

Some doctors have hailed Acomplia (Rimonabant) on the basis of clinical trials as a major break through in the treatment of obesity. Acomplia (Rimonabant) is a selective CB1 endocannabinoid receptor and works by blocking the CB1 receptor, one of the 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.

The receptors are present on the surfaces of many cells throughout the body, including fat cells – which are involved in lipid and glucose metabolism and those in the hypothalamus, the brain region that determines appetite. Cannabinoids, such as Ana amide, the chemical compounds produced by our body latch on the CB1 receptors which are inactive in overweight and obese individuals sending out a signal that prompts people to eat more or in short increases appetite.

Acomplia halts the action of cannabinoid receptors and in the process curbs appetite. The blocking of CB1 receptors helps in controlling food cravings, improvement of cardiovascular/metabolic risk factors in obese patients and reduces tobacco dependence without post cessation weight gain in people who smoke.

Most of the experts feel that Acomplia is the answer to the long term treatment of obesity. But some feel that long term treatment of Acomplia can add other health problems. It is believed that the endocannabinoid receptor system is involved in regulation of a broad range of primary biological functions like mood regulation, blood pressure, bone density, reproduction and motor coordination as well as appetite.

Some experts feel that long term use of Acomplia may turn out to disastrous as Acomplia may also promote the illnesses that CB1 activity normally protects against. CB1 receptors commonly play protective roles in minimizing the consequences of free radical induced; age related illnesses as well as the aging process itself.

The going can only get tough for Acomplia as it awaits it approval from the US FDA. The US FDA is worried about its side effects and has kept its approval on hold. Acomplia which will be launched under the brand name Zimulti in US is expected to be in the market only in 2007.

Acomplia has brighter sides to look at though. Countries like Sweden, Denmark and Ireland have agreed to reimburse patients for the drug. In Mexico, the Mexican Ministry of Health approved the Acomplia diet pill not only as an adjunct to diet and exercise for obese patients or overweight people at risk of diabetes and heart disease, but also said Acomplia can be used with standard treatments metformin or sulfonylurea to improve blood sugar levels in diabetics.