New drug reduces weight and heart risk in obese people

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A medication called rimonabant has been shown to reduce weight, waist measurement and heart risk.
There is a keen interest in drugs that might help people reduce their body weight. Doctors from University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium, now report upon a trial of a new drug, rimonabant, in a group of obese patients.

More than 67 per cent of those on the medication achieved more than five per cent loss of body weight and 39 per cent lost more than ten per cent. There was also a significant reduction in waist measurement, insulin resistance, and other factors contributing to the metabolic syndrome.

It looks as if rimonabant could be a very useful approach in the treatment of obesity. Other trials are ongoing and it remains to be seen how the new drug might fit in with lifestyle measures to combat obesity.

Source
The Lancet 16th April 2005

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