Information on Rimonabant - Acomplia®

PRODUCT INFORMATION

The active substance is rimonabant. Each film-coated tablet of Acomplia contains 20mg of rimonabant. The other ingredients are: Tablet Core: maize starch, lactose monohydrate, povidone K30 (E1201), croscarmellose sodium (E468), sodium laurilsulfate (E487), miceocrystalline cellulose (E 460), magnesium stearate.
Tablet coating: lactose monohydrate, hypromellose 15 mPa.s (E 464), titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 3000.Tablet polishing: carnauba wax (E 903)

WHAT ACOMPLIA IS AND ITS USE
The active ingredient of Acomplia is rimonabant. It works by blocking specific receptors in the brain and fat tissues called CB1 receptors. Acomplia is indicated in the treatment of obesity and management of body weight as adjunct to diet and exercise.

BEFORE YOU TAKE ACOMPLIA
Do not take Acomplia:
If you are (hypersensitive) allergic to rimonabant, or any of the other ingredients of Acomplia.
If you are breast-feeding

TAKE SPECIAL CARE WITH ACOMPLIA
Tell your doctor before you take this medicine:
If you have impaired liver
If you have severely impaired renal function
If you are currently being treated for epilepsy
If you are less than 18 years of age. There is no information available on the use of Acomplia in people under 18 years of age.
TAKING OTHER MEDICINES
The activity of Acomplia is increased by simultaneous use of some drugs (so-called CYP3A4 inhibitors) such as:

itraconazole (antifungal medicine)
ketaconazole (antifungal medicine)
ritonavir (medicine for the treatment of HIV infections)
telithromycin (antibiotic)
clarithromycin (antibiotic)
nefazodone (anti-depressor)
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken the above mentioned medicines or any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription such as St. John’s wort, rifampicin (antibiotic), medicines for weight loss, medicines to improve blood lipids (fats), antidiabetes medicines and medicines to treat epilepsy (e.g. phenytoin, Phenobarbital, carbamazeptine) or depression

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
At the recommended dose, Acomplia is not expected to reduce your ability to drive and use machines.

PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING
Acomplia should not be taken during pregnancy. Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant while taking Acomplia.

Do not take this medicine when breast-feeing. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or if you are planning to breast-feed your baby.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS OF ACOMPLIA
Acomplia tablets include lactose. If you are intolerant to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

HOW TO TAKE ACOMPLIA
Always take Acomplia exactly as your doctor has instructed you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

The usual dose is one 20mg tablet to be taken once daily in the morning before breakfast. Swallow the tablet whole.

You need to start and continue a reduced calorie diet and a physical activity program to get best results. Your doctor should recommend the type of diet and the level of physical activity required, that suits your specific condition and overall health.
Taking Acomplia with food and drink
Acomplia should be taken once daily in the morning before breakfast.
If you take more Acomplia than you should
Tell your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to take Acomplia
Take it as soon as you remember but do not take a double dose to make up for any forgotten dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

Obesity is at an increasing rate, and no age group is immune, as society is ever increasing in a more sedentary lifestyle. Health problems are increasing especially in the area of weight and weight related illnesses. Regardless there are side effects with medications and these must be looked at. The possible side effects that Acomplia can lead to include (although not everybody gets them)

Nausea, dizziness, mood changes, infections and infestations, metabolism and nutrition disorders: anorexia, decreased appetite, nervous system disorders disturbance in attention, gastrointestinal disorders, dry mouth, vomiting, trouble with sleeping, depression, irritability, diarrhea, anxiety, itching, excessive sweating, muscle cramps or spasm, fatigue, bruising, tendon pain and inflammation (tendonitis), memory loss, back pain (sciatica), altered sensitivity of the hands and feet, hot flush, fall, influenza, and joint sprain.

It has been reported by some that some of the side effects seem to subside once adjustment to the drug is made. Acomplia could be less severe than what someone would experience with many other weight loss medications. Its proven effectiveness in weightloss and its tested ability to regulate healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels could be a large benefit for its users.Some concern about the side effects of the drug on ones mental state may have the FDA taking some time before ever approving it to be sold in the USA.

The Above Information should Never replace the advice of your personal physician.