Acomplia in the UK and EU
Acomplia has been approved
for use within the EU and was available to patients in the UK from June 28th,
2006. However, the drug is not currently available on the NHS (the UK’s National
Health Service) and at the present time is only available on private prescription.
In order to become available on the NHS, Acomplia will need to be approved
by NICE, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. It is expected
that this approval will take in the region of two years.
Once approved by NICE, Acomplia is likely to only be available on the NHS to
patients who are clinically obese (they have a BMI in excess of 30) or overweight
(they have a BMI in excess of 27) and exhibiting other clinical indications
such as type II diabetes or an unsatisfactory blood lipid profile.
Acomplia in the US
Sanofi-Aventis applied for regulatory approval with the FDA in the US back
in April 2005. However, in February 2006, the FDA stated that final approval
would not be granted until some additional issues were satisfactorily resolved.
It was not stated what these additional issues were. Given these delays, this
drug is unlikely to get approval in the US before 2007.
How does it work?
Acomplia tablets contain the active ingredient rimonabant, which is a type
of medicine called a cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonist. It is used to aid weight
loss in people who are obese or overweight.
Rimonabant works by blocking receptors called cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB1).
These are found in the brain, fat tissue, digestive system, liver and muscles.
The CB1 receptors are part of a system in the body called the endocannabinoid
system. This system has only recently been discovered and explored. It is involved
in regulating energy balance, sugar and fat metabolism and body weight.
The CB1 receptors found in a particular area of the brain called the mesolimbic
system are involved in controlling our intake of highly palatable, sweet or
fatty foods. Overactivation of the CB1 receptors is associated with increased
appetite, cravings for food and fat build-up.
Rimonabant blocks CB1 receptors and so reduces cravings for these types of
foods and helps decrease appetite and control hunger.
Rimonabant may also increase
blood levels of "good fats" called HDL-cholesterol and reduce blood
levels of "bad fats" called triglycerides.
Obesity is caused by consuming more energy in food than than the body needs
for the amount of physical activity it is doing. This means that reducing hunger
and food cravings is only part of the solution to weight loss. It is important
to continue to follow a reduced calorie diet and exercise program while taking
this medicine. Ask your doctor for advice about this.
