Will a New Drug Melt the Pounds? It May, but Doctors Urge Caution

New York Times ^ | 5 December 2004 | GINA KOLATA

[John Valentine]

Re. my earlier post

Company website:

http://www.metabolic.com.au

[Wonder Warthog]

"Also, in my view the drug, while interesting is basically flawed in that it is an appetite supressant acting on the CNS."

If it works, and is safe, what difference does the mechanism make???

[mdmathis6]

Hey can I be on that study....?

[uncbob]

Sounds like a miracle drug

You sure this isn't a fake story

[John Valentine]

Drugs that act on the central nervous system have a history of unwanted and troublesome side effects.

Rimonabant is likely to be no different and already we know of some side effects that are touted as beneficial, like reducing the craving for cigarettes.

Rimonabant looks to me like a drug looking for a market, rather than a drug engineered to provide precise and targeted benefits. That's not to say that it doesn't work, or that I wouldn't choose to take it myself if it were appropriate and prescribed.

I am somewhat put off the degree of hype surrounding this drug, and that makes me just a bit suspicious that the hype is intended to pressurize the FDA to approve the drug for sale in spite of reservations they have already expressed.

[RtWngr]

This is too terrible to think about. Can't get high and can't eat Oreo's?

[Robespierre]

Does it help with arthritis joint pain as well?

[Ditter]

Thanks for the tips. Are you a doctor or a stock broker?

[goldstategop]

I feel terrible seeing the new Carl's Jr. commercial of a Caddilac crashing into a deli. I must have a supersized new Pastrami Burger before I diet! :)

[JusPasenThru]

SLIM 404 SLIM 404 SLIM 404 SLIM 404

[Wonder Warthog]

"Drugs that act on the central nervous system have a history of unwanted and troublesome side effects.",

Re-read what I said---"If it works, and is safe...

"Rimonabant looks to me like a drug looking for a market, rather than a drug engineered to provide precise and targeted benefits."

Unforunately, the drug discovery process is NOT tailored to yield drugs "engineered to provide precise and targeted benefits". There is a significant degree of "random chance" involved.

I am somewhat put off the degree of hype surrounding this drug, and that makes me just a bit suspicious that the hype is intended to pressurize the FDA to approve the drug for sale in spite of reservations they have already expressed.

Is the hype originating with the company, or is it the news media blowing everything out of proportion? They are VERY prone to sensationalism.

[lepayne]

ping

[Wolfie]

Read: if something works this well, there just has to be some downside.

Duh.

"Rimonabant blocks a protein in brain cells that allows cannabis, the active ingredient in marijuana, to work."

[goldstategop]

Of course pop a pill and you'll be a supermodel. I can see Michael Moore running to stock up.

[chainsaw]

For later viewing.

[FITZ]

It's the new miracle weight-loss drug in a line of many --- and people will be more obese than ever when it's all said and done.

[ECM]

Not quite the downside I was thinking of...

[Tunehead54]

Reference bump! ;-)

[Nathan Zachary]

Thanks for the tip John.

[Dark Wing]

FYI