New Anti Obesity Medication

I reviewed an article in Clinical Psychiatry News that mentioned there are 189 drugs in development that will soon offer more hope to patients struggling with weight control. This article is in line with recent expert panel discussions at last year's American Bariatric Society conferences.  Therefore, I think help is coming.
 
Perhaps the medication rimonabant (Acomplia-trademark) will be the first one released. Its manufacturer hopes to seek FDA approval in April, 2005.  It works on a novel obesity mechanism affecting cannibinoid receptors (receptors that control the "munchies"). This mechanism has been discussed at numerous obesity conferences as beneficial in battling weight. Supposedly, safety studies were good and, after two years, patients experienced a reduction in body weight and waist circumference, demonstrated a significant reduction in abdominal fat, had lowered triglycerides, increased HDL(good) cholesterol and improvement in insulin sensitivity. It also seems to lessen weight gain after smoking cessation. I look forward to reviewing this medication more closely in the future.
 
Good luck in your weight management endeavors.
 
Sincerely,
Dr. P.
Medical Consultant
www.ManageYourWeight.com