Acomplia,
known under the generic name Rimonabant, repressent newly developed
class of weight loss
drugs, that exert their action by blocking the
endocannabinoid system. It has appetite
suppressing effect. Acomplia wass approved in Europe and
Latin America, but it was and is not approved for sale in Unated States.
Acomplia is associated with greater risk of developing mental disorders and suicides. Currently it is withdrawn from the market!
What is Acomplia used for?
Acomplia is an appetite
suppressant
and is used for the treatment of obesity and related conditions. During
clinical trials Acomplia showed other beneficial effects - it can help
with smoking cessation,
by curbing nicotine cravings.
Acomplia was originally designed as an adjunct to diet and exercise
program for the treatment of obese adults, who also suffer
from type 2
diabetes or dyslipidamia (high LDL cholesterol levels). It is very
suitable for people with large waist circumference (102 cm in men and
88 cm in women), that had the greatest benefit during the trials.
How it works
Acomplia works by blocking the CB1 receptors in the brain and in
peripheral organs important to glucose and fat metabolism - guts, fat
tissue, liver and muscles.The CB1 receptor appears to be an integrated
component of the networks controlling appetite and food intake in the
hypothalamus, the brain structure where is located the main center
controlling caloric intake and regulating energy balance.
By
blocking this receptors, Acomplia reduces
your appetite allowing you to achieve your weight loss
goals easily, without cravings and hunger bothering you.
CB1 receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), that are
turned by marujuana. Stimulation of the ECS is associated with obesity
and disregulation of the mechanisms involved in energy balance.Since at
least 300 AD, cannabis has been known to stimulate hunger and increase
appetite, especially for sweet and palatable food. This effect is
mediated by the CB1 receptors. Acomplia blocks them, thus turning it
off. The effect is strong
appetite suppression.
Acomplia and smoking cessation
Acomplia has been studied by the manufacturer as an aid in qiuting smoking.
The study involved over 6,500 volunteers.
How effective is Acomplia
A number of trials had been performed with Acomplia to evaluate the
effectiveness and safety of the drug. The volunteers that toke part in
the trial had been in three groups - one taking placebo (pill, that
doesn't contain the active ingridient), second took 5 mg of Acomplia
and the third - 20 mg.
The results showed that the mean weight loss in
the 20 mg dose groups was
20 pounds or 9 kg, while the placebo grooup lost only 5
pounds. During treatment waist
circumference declined too.
These numbers are easily
understanded by the graph:
Fig.1 Graph comparing the weight loss
achieved by placebo,
Acomplia - 5mg dose
and Acomplia - 20 mg
dose. Long-term weight
loss achieved with 20mg dose was greater than 5 mg dose.
How much weight you can lose with Acomplia?
During clinical trials Acomplia it was shown that
the weight loss that can be achieved is about 5-10% of the initial body
weight. For a person weighing 200 pounds means that one can lose about
20 pounds for a year. For initial weight of 250 pounds the weight loss
that can be achived is about 25 pounds!
Other health benefits that are associated
with the use of Acomplia are:
- Lowering in tryglycerid levels and HDL
levels increased.
- Blood sugar levels improvement
- Reducing the risk from developing
cardiovascular disease
- At 1 year, rimonabant had a beneficial
effect high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), on systolic blood
pressure (SBP),
triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose in the diabetic and
non-diabetic groups, and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the
diabetic group.
Potential side effects and contraindications
Common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness,
hypoglycemia, fatigue, and anxiety, depression, insomnia,
dizziness, all of which are generally mild or moderate. This side
effects occured in 19% of patients taking Acomplia versus 13% in the
placebo group.
One of the great concerns when using Acomplia is the risk of developing
depression.
Other contraindications identified by the manufacturer include severe
hepatic impairment, severe renal impairment, lactose intolerance, and
patients over 75.
Overall, Acomplia has been marketed to be effective method for
weight
reduction and health improvement. When used under doctor's
observation,
this medication can cause dramatic
health improvement even for
severely overweight with, as it was thought - only limited side effects.
It turns out that it was not exactly true.
Soon after Acomplia was approved for European market, numerous press reports and independent studies suggests that side effects were more common and more dangerous. The makers of Acomplia, Sanofi-Aventis, itself has shown than the risk of major depression episodes and siucides is far greater when taking Acomplia.
Where I can Order Acomplia?
Currently Acomplia is off-market. Be aware if someone is trying to sell you Acomplia - it is illegal, it is fake or, if it is real Acomplia, you put yourself at a great risk. Better try some more safe alternative.
We do not advise you to try Acomplia, with or without doctor's approval, becouse of the potentially serious side effects.
Choose safer alternative to Acomplia to fight your cravings by clicking here
Is There Natural Alternatives to Acomplia?
Yes. One of the best natural alternatives is Hoodia Gordonii diet pills,
which have strong appetite suppressing potential. Another alternative
is Proactol.
It is complex weight loss system, that offers other great benefits,
besides the appetite suppression.
References:
- Van Gaal et al.
Effects of the
cannabinoid-1 receptor blocker rimonabant on weight reduction and
cardiovascular risk factors in overweight patients: 1-year experience
from the RIO-Europe study. Lancet. 2005 Apr 16-22;365(9468):1389-97.
- Data presented
at
the American Diabetes Association's 65th Annual Scientific Sessions on
June 12, 2005
- Després,
J.P. et al. Effect of Rimonabant on Body Weight and the Metabolic
Syndrome in Overweight Patients. New England Journal of Medicine,
November, 16, 2005.
- Pi-Sunyer, F.
X.
et al. Effect of
Rimonabant, a Cannabinoid-1 Receptor Blocker, on Weight and
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight or Obese Patients RIO-North
America: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Medical
Association, February 15, 2005
- Pagotto U.
Pasquali R. Fighting obesity and associated risk
factors by antagonising cannabinoid type 1 receptors. Lancet. 2005;
365: 1363-64.
- Van Gaal LF,
Rissanen, AM, Scheen AJ,
Ziegler O, Rössner S for the RIO-Europe Study Group. Effects
of the
cannabinoid-1 receptor blocker rimonabant on weight reduction and
cardiovascular risk factors in overweight patients: 1-year experience
from the RIO-Europe study. Lancet. 2005;365:
1389-97.
- Marzo V, et al.
Leptin-regulated endocannabinoids are involved in maintaining food
intake. Nature. 2001;410:822-825.
- http://www.drugs.com/acomplia.html
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7687311.stm
|
