FDA Shouldn't Approve Diet Drug, Panel Says

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When used with a modest-calorie diet and exercise, rimonabant significantly decreases weight and waist size in overweight or obese people, research shows. In studies, patients taking the drug lost about 14 pounds while those on a placebo lost only about 4 pounds. However, patients put the weight back on when they stopped taking the drug, according to Sanofi-Aventis.

In addition, the drug has lead in some instances to psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety, phobias, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders.

Studies found that 26 percent of people taking the drug reported these symptoms, compared with 14 percent of those taking a placebo. Among those taking the drug, 9 percent reported symptoms of depression, compared with 5 percent taking a placebo.

This is a small increase in depression, Nonas said. "It means that 91 percent of the people will not have depression," she said.

People taking rimonabant had a two-fold increase in suicidal thoughts, compared to those taking a placebo. Sanofi-Aventis believes all those cases were due to preexisting depression or other disorders and not directly the result of taking the drug.

Rimonabant works by blocking the same pleasure centers in the body that are triggered when marijuana users get hungry. Blocking the receptors reduces hunger, and people eat less and lose weight.

More information

For more information on obesity, visit the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.