Rimonabant, the anti-obesity drug being sold in India by about 17 companies under different names like Rimoslim, Slimona etc., will soon by banned in India.
Rimonabant (SR141716) is a neurokinin-3 antagonist and selective cannabinoid (CB1) receptor antagonist currently being researched and developed under the proprietary name, Acomplia, by Sanofi-Aventis. The chemical name is N-piperino5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methylpyrazole-3carboxamide
Rimonabant acts by selectively blocking the cannabinoid-1 receptors with resultant central and metabolic peripheral effects, thereby decreasing food intake.
In the UK, was available beginning in July 2006. As of 2008, the drug was available in 56 countries. On October 23, 2008, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) released a press release stating that its Committee for Medical Products for Human Use (CHMP) had concluded that the benefits of Acomplia no longer outweighed its risks and subsequently recommended that the product be suspended from the UK market. Sanofi-Aventis later released a press statement stating that the drug had been suspended.
