If you went to college in the ’60s and ’70s, you may remember the “munchies” or ravenous appetite that sometimes accompanied marijuana use. The stoners of that day didn’t realize that in the future, snack-blocking drugs would help them lose the pounds they would gain over the next 30 years or so.
This new drug, ramonabant (affectionately known on metabolism.com as Ramona), brand name Acomplia, is currently available in Europe and may soon be available in the United States. The company that produces this drug, Sanofi-Aventis, has been in lengthy negotiations with the FDA to obtain the critical approval required to market Acomplia in the US FDA. One possible reason is that although extensive clinical trials suggest the new drug is safe and effective for weight loss, many experts are concerned about ramonabant’s possible side effects.
Studies show that approximately 30-40% of obese people taking ramonabant lost more than 5% of their body weight and 10-20% of subjects lost more than 10% of their body weight in excess of what they lost. only with the diet. Because Ramona also acts on the liver, it had beneficial effects on triglycerides and other fats in the blood. A reduction in blood pressure has also been observed with Ramona treatment.
Ramona works by blocking an important chemical pathway in the brain known as the endocannabinoid system. Scientists speculate that our bodies naturally manufacture cannabis-like substances (marijuana, marijuana, marijuana, etc.), which interact with the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is not only involved in appetite control, but is also active in many areas of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract, mood regulation, bone development, muscle control, blood pressure, adaptation to stress and the reproductive system. Several experts, such as University of Colorado Colorado Springs biology professor Dr. Robert Melamede, have warned that long-term use of Ramona for weight loss could lead to unwanted side effects related to these other body systems. In fact, depression is listed as one of the side effects that may limit the tolerability of Ramona, occurring in approximately 3% of obese subjects in a weight loss study. Nausea was another important limiting side effect.
Industry insiders speculate that Acomplia could be available to US consumers this summer, but no one knows for sure. Insurance companies in the US will not pay for weight loss drugs. Only a drug that treats a disease or medical condition will be “covered” by an insurance company. For that reason, it is believed that Sanofi-Aventis will approach the FDA for approval to use Ramona in the treatment of diabetes. This is because many diabetics will see an improvement in their blood sugar level as they lose weight and because Ramona may also have a direct beneficial effect on glucose and cholesterol regulation. It will then be up to the FDA to finish its review of the drug’s safety and efficacy for this purpose. How long this will take is anyone’s guess.
In the meantime, we wait and wait and wait for Ramona. We at metabolic.com have been thinking it might help if our members wrote a song about her feelings on this.
We took a stab at it and came up with this little ditty.
(in a Calypso rhythm)
Lyrics by GPepper, Director Metabolism.com
Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona
Why did you leave me so sad?
Xenical is not as sweet as you.
Oh Ramon, my Ramona
I want to shed these ugly pounds
I look so smooth and round
Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona
Why did you leave me so sad?
I’m just having a powerful taste for some melted yellow cheese.
Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona
I don’t know if you’re a sinner or a saint
You make my liver happy but the rest of my body complains.
Add your comments and your own song to the blog at metabolic.com. It can help you feel better.
Only you and your doctor can decide which medical treatments are best for you. Articles on metabolism.com such as this one are for educational purposes only and should not be used to guide you in your health care. Talk to your healthcare professional before making changes or starting medical treatment plans.
Gary Pepper MD
Chief editor
