rimonabant

Rimonabant is a medication that was developed by Sanofi-Aventis and was intended for the treatment of obesity. It functions as a selective cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) antagonist. By blocking the CB1 receptor, rimonabant was thought to reduce appetite and body weight. Clinical trials showed that rimonabant could lead to weight loss and improvements in metabolic markers such as cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It was approved in Europe in 2006 under the brand name Acomplia for the treatment of overweight and obese patients with associated risk factors.

However, during its post-marketing surveillance, significant psychiatric side effects were reported. These included increased risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. These adverse events led to concerns about the drug's safety profile. Consequently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to approve rimonabant in the United States in 2007, and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) recommended the suspension of its marketing authorization in 2008. Sanofi-Aventis subsequently withdrew Acomplia from the market. Research into rimonabant and other CB1 antagonists has largely ceased due to these safety concerns, although the understanding of the endocannabinoid system has advanced.