FDA: Diet pill may increase suicidal thoughts

[RamboLiberal]

Source: MSNBC/Reuters

Patients who took a Sanofi-Aventis SA obesity drug in clinical trials were more likely to report suicidal thoughts or actions than others who got a placebo, U.S. drug reviewers said in an analysis released on Monday.

Food and Drug Administration staff also said the 20-milligram dose of the drug, Zimulti, produced clinically significant weight loss. An advisory panel will consider on Wednesday if the drug should be approved for sale in the United States.

Known generically as rimonabant, the drug already is sold in 18 countries under the name Acomplia.

FDA statisticians said the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behavior “was higher for 20-milligram rimonabant compared to placebo. Similarly, the incidence of psychiatric adverse events, neurological adverse events and seizures were consistently higher for rimonabant.”



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19173100/

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I think I'll keep exercising, watching what I eat and live with the fact I pack some extra pounds.

[flvegan]

1. I'm having phen-fen deja vu.

Not a good thing.

[Taverner]

12. Ahhh Phen fen!

I remember that stuff from the 90's...only to be replaced by the late 90's/early 2000's Ephedra craze.

Bascially, if you're not moving your metabolism up naturally, its not a good thing...

[MADem]

2. Love those Big Pharma drugs!! I want a donut, I think I'll KILL MYSELF!!!!

Sold in 18 countries, eh?

Good grief....

[Christa]

3. At least one will die thin

:sarcasm:

[melody]

4. The way they see it, better dead than fat n/t

[Seedersandleechers]

5. I say, bring back the old diet pills from the early 60's

Back then no one had to be fat unless they wanted to..:sarcasm:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. A much kinder gentler approach..... and I do believe that

there is a fair amount of merit to the premise that the "good fats" help you lose the "bad fat".

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41CKSoMfUCL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Lose-Weight-Louise-Gittleman/dp/087983966X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-0721156-0682311?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181604943&sr=8-1

Ann Louise Gittleman is right on the money. I found this book the most important book about dietary fat I have ever read.

I, too, used to subscribe to the "fat-free" lifestyle in sad, desperate attempts to lose weight. After finding out just how much the body needs fat, especially the right kinds of fat, I realized that I was really "abusing" my body by ignoring it's needs for essential fatty acids. I have added flaxseed oil to my daily regimen and have started to incorporate dietary changes. I do feel much better.

I also appreciate the scientific evidence that supports her claims. She sheds new light on the body's need for protein and fat, something that flies in the face of traditional nutrition advice. Since I've started to give myself more protein, I feel fuller longer and my sugar cravings are much reduced.

If you have been living the "Fat-Free Lie," you owe it to yourself to read this book. I was so engrossed in the thing that I finished it in a day. It is truly breakthrough.

[KurtNYC]

7. there was just one more study that validated low carb dieting

A recently discovered hormone is instrumental in helping the body switch its fuel source from sugar to fat, new research from Dallas and Boston scientists suggests....


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-utswhormone_06met.ART.State.Edition1.440ab8c.html#

[bitchkitty]

9. Not only good for you,

but fat and protein are much more sustaining - having them with your breakfast or lunch means you don't come to the dinner table ready to eat the tablecloth!

[BlueIris]

8. See if that stops any doctor from pushing it on an "obese" patient.

[momster]

10. 5 Percent!

According to the article in the Post, dieters on this pill lost 5 percent more weight than people not on the pill. That's so *not* worth it.

[HannibalBarca]

11. It's a cannabinoid 1 receptor antagonist

The same receptor that gives people the "high" feeling when smoking cannabis (may have anti inflammatory actions as well + analgesia) and in addition enhances appetite, hence the reason they developed an antagonist to suppress hunger. However now you see the problem of altering the bodies normal biochemical operation.

[Taverner]

13. So how long before they start dolling this stuff out like anabuse?

[Marnieworld]

14. interesting

so if it affects the same receptor but with the opposite effect you would think that the depression/suicidal tendencies would be predictable? Increased appetite gets decreased so wouldn't the "high" become "low"?

[HannibalBarca]

16. Very logical and true

it's often the case when you start antagonising (or even agonising) receptors in the human body. They may produce the effect you intend but they may (and usually do) produce other less than ideal side effects. I can only presume that in the original clinical trials (phase 3) this was not picked up as a common side effect (or deemed too rare to be of significance) and only came to light post approval and widespread use(in the countries that it is already licensed in). As an earlier poster said these type of "anti-obesity" drugs including those that increase excretion of dietary fat offer only minimal gains in terms of actual weight lost, stick with a good diet and exercise.

[BlueIris]

15. Woah. Nice catch.

Feel free to share more.