Acomplia tablets contain the active ingredient rimonabant, which is a type of drug 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. 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 drug. Ask your doctor for advice about this.
Why is this drug prescribed?
- Obesity;
Acomplia can be prescribed to aid weight loss in obese people who have a body mass index of 30kg/m? or more. It can also be prescribed to overweight people with a BMI of 27kg/m? or more who also have additional risk factors for obesity-related diseases, for example type 2 diabetes or unhealthy levels of fats in the blood. It should be used in combination with a reduced calorie diet and exercise program.
- anxiety;
- decreased sensation eg to touch or pain;
- depression;
- diarrhoea;
- difficulty sleeping;
- dizziness;
- fatigue;
- feeling unwell restless or agitated;
- hallucinations;
- hot flushes;
- increased sweating;
- infections of the upper airways;
- irritability;
- itching;
- memory loss;
- mood changes;
- muscle spasms or cramps;
- nausea;
- nervousness;
- sciatica;
- sleep disorders eg sleep walking night sweats;
- tendon inflammation;
- vomiting;
