Rimonabant diet pill has just been approved by the NHS
This new diet pill has been around for a couple of years. The NHS has added Rimonabant to its approoved drug list. This is not however a cure all for all obese people. It offers the hope of a 10% weight reduction if coupled with regular exercise.
There are side affects for people who also suffer from depresion. To quote from a report on the bbc website
“Rimonabant was first made available in the UK in 2006, and since then, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has received 720 reports of adverse drug reactions, covering 2,123 individual reactions.
Of these, 974 involved psychiatric disorders, including 48 reports involved suicidal thoughts, and a total of 93 involving depression.
A review of trial evidence published in the Lancet medical journal last year also found evidence that depression and anxiety were more likely in patients taking the drug.
Andrew Dillon, the chief executive of NICE, said: “The independent advisory committee recommended rimonabant, along with diet and exercise, as a treatment option for adults who are obese or overweight.”
So it is not safe for everyone. I think 10% weight loss is quite small for obese people. You can be overweight by 50% and this amount of weight loss is simply not enough to solve the obesity related health problems.
As someone who has lost nearly 30% of his body weight I would recomend a very low calorie diet ahead of any diet pill solution. It is quicker and has fewer side effects.
