Zimulti (Rimonabant) is indicated for overweight patients (NOTE: BMI > 27 with one cardiovascular risk factor, or BMI > 30, if no cardiovascular risk factors).
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the proportion of total fat when height and weight are calculated. The National Health Institute has demonstrated that anyone who has a BMI of 25 or greater is at risk for health problems; therefore, a BMI of 25 and less than 30 is considered overweight; while greater than 30 is obese.
To calculate your own BMI go to:
www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/
Obesity is a chronic and highly prevalent illness frequently assocciated with numerous and sometimes fatal illnesses. Contrary to just being a risk factor for other diseases, obesity is a complex disease in itself. As such, this disease has its own disabling capacities. Obesity complications include diabetes, dyslipidemia (i.e. one or more lipid levels are not at healthy levels), cardiovascular disease, and Metabolic Syndrome (ex. Pre-Diabetes).
Currently, there are no anti-obesity agents targeting this disease. However, the National Health Institute, and many other professional organizations have targeted obesity as an epidemic and are focused on developing treatments, including drugs, to eliminate or decrease this disease.
Zimulti is a new molecular entity and the first cannabinoid type I receptor antagonist. Many people will perceive the similarities between the word marijuana and the word cannabinoid. If marijuane were a legitimate drug, zimulti would be its antagonist. While marijuana increases the appetite to the point of bing eating, and enhances one's feelings of pleasure; Zimulti does just the opposite--suppressing one's appetite and decreasing one's feelings of 'joy in life'.
Does Zimulti work? Yes. At the prescribed dose of 20 mg/day people do lose weight. LIpid levels also refelct a more healthy outcome. Additionally, as glucose levels in diabetics becomes more controlled; the catastrophic effects of diabetes are deferred, perhaps indefinitely.
But what about the decreased feelings of joy, or finding pleasure in life? That question is the crux of the FDA panel's decision to 'nix' this drug.
Why? Because loss of pleasure leads to an increase in depression and consequently, suicide.
So, it's probably back to the drawing board to develop or modify a drug which is effective against an uncontrolled American epidemic; but whose adverse effects are too dangerous.
United States Federal Drug Administration: Department of Health and Human Services
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