A new star seems to be shining in the diet pill sky: Acomplia, presently under development by the French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi-Aventis. Near-miraculous effects are claimed for it.

How it works

Its action consists in inhibiting the activity of the cannabinoid receptors in the human brain and in other body locations. These have been scientifically proven to play a role in controlling food consumption as well as the phenomena of alcohol dependence and addiction to smoking. The drug could reduce food cravings, help quitting smoking and could be of help for addicts of any type. Moreover, the drug has also been tested for long term effects — it seems that it can keep the weight off for two years.

There are also other good effects that seem to have been ascertained as resulting from the study:

• increase of the HDL (good) cholesterol level;
• decrease of triglycerides( bad cholesterol) level;
• reduction of abdominal fat;
• seems to help the body process sugar and fat from food more efficiently.

The drug has not been released for sale yet. Sanofi-Aventis will begin — probably during the next year — the process of obtaining Food and Drug Administration approval for use of Acomplia in the United States.

Side effects

Acomplia has been tested for only two years, time which I consider completely irrelevant for proving the long-term side effects of the medicine. The side effects presented so far are made to look insignificant compared to the “huge benefits” of the drug.

• depression;
• nausea;
• dizziness;
• anxiety;
• irritability.

Besides, these side effects are told to be quite minor, innocuous, rarely ocurring and non-invasive. Fact is that little is known about Acomplia's risks and side effects. Although promising enough as a diet drug and addiction buster, we cannot overlook the fact that such drugs that meddle in brain regulatory systems might have serious, even irreversible, side effects primarily involving the central nervous system.

So, is Acomplia really a hit on the diet pills market or is it just another “fad” drug? That is for scientists/producers to know and for the market to find out! (hopefully not the hard way!). It will certainly be a hit for the producer — it is expected to bring along the big bucks. As for the consumers ... they'll look for the immediate benefits until the drug proven to have deleterious effects. That is, in case the FDA approval is obtained that easily. It is quite probable that the FDA will thoroughly study the wide-range use of the drug for possible risk factors before giving its approval, a process that could take a while.

Still, although not on the market yet, it already brings money. The positive effects of the drug have begun to make their presence felt, this time economically speaking and only for Sanofi-Aventis: the new product prospect is already taken into account on the stock market and it seems to be quite appealing, as it has triggered a “buy” rating and the raise of the share price.