Rimonabant
About Rimonabant
Rimonabant contains rimonabant, a medicine that was developed to help with weight management in certain adults with obesity or overweight. It was intended to be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity. Rimonabant was later withdrawn from many markets where it had been approved because its benefits were found not to outweigh the risk of serious psychiatric side effects, particularly depression. It was never approved in the United States.
Rimonabant was used in adults with obesity or in certain adults who were overweight and had related health risks, such as type 2 diabetes or abnormal levels of fats in the blood. It works by blocking cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors, which are involved in appetite, food intake, and energy balance. This can reduce appetite and support weight loss.
When rimonabant was marketed, it was taken regularly alongside diet and physical activity as part of a weight-management plan. Because its approval status differs by country and it has been withdrawn from many markets, ask your doctor whether Rimonabant is currently approved and appropriate for you.
Side effects reported with rimonabant included nausea, dizziness, anxiety, sleep problems, and changes in mood. More importantly, treatment was associated with an increased risk of psychiatric problems, including depression and suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor promptly if you notice new or worsening changes in your mood, thoughts, or behaviour.
Before using Rimonabant, tell your doctor about your medical history, particularly any current or previous depression or other mental health problems, and all medicines you take. When rimonabant was authorised in the EU, it was not to be used in people with ongoing major depression or those taking antidepressants. Also tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, are an older adult, or if the medicine is intended for a child, as special precautions may be needed.
Uses of Rimonabant
Medicinal Benefits
When it was approved, Rimonabant was used as part of a weight-management plan to support weight loss and improvements in some health measures. These potential benefits must be considered alongside the psychiatric risks that led to its withdrawal from many markets.
- Supports weight loss: By reducing appetite and food intake, Rimonabant helped some adults lose weight when used along with a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity.
- May improve some metabolic measures: Treatment was associated with improvements in some measures related to blood sugar and blood fats in certain people.
- Supports weight-management goals: Rimonabant was designed to work alongside diet and regular physical activity as part of an overall weight-management plan.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s advise regarding the dosage and duration.
- Lie down and tilt your head backwards. Pull your lower eyelid gently with your index finger to form a pocket. Instil the number of drops as advised by the doctor into the pocket of the lower eyelid. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes.
- Do not touch the container tip to the eye, eyelids, or surrounding areas, as it may cause contamination.
Storage
Side Effects of Rimonabant
Common Side Effects (Usually Mild)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety or irritability
- Tiredness
- Stomach discomfort or diarrhoea
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- New or worsening depression
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Significant changes in mood or behaviour
- Severe anxiety, panic, or unusual agitation
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Be aware of mood changes: Tell your doctor promptly if you develop new or worsening depression, anxiety, or unusual changes in your mood or behaviour.
- Seek help for thoughts of self-harm: Consult your doctor right away if you develop thoughts of harming yourself or suicide while taking Rimonabant.
- Share your mental health history: Tell your doctor if you have or have previously had depression or another mental health condition before starting treatment.
- Tell your doctor about other medicines: Share a complete list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products so your doctor can check for possible interactions.
- Discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Rimonabant is not recommended during pregnancy, and breastfeeding should be avoided during treatment.
- Use in children and older adults: Rimonabant is not intended for use in children. If you are an older adult, your doctor will consider whether treatment is appropriate based on your overall health and other medicines you take.
Drug Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, clarithromycin, or nefazodone): These medicines can slow the breakdown of rimonabant and increase its levels in the body, which may increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor will consider whether they are appropriate to use together.
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, or carbamazepine): These medicines can speed up the breakdown of rimonabant and may reduce its effect. Tell your doctor if you take any of these medicines.
- Antidepressants: Rimonabant should not be used in people receiving antidepressant treatment under the prescribing restrictions that applied when it was marketed. Tell your doctor about any medicine you take for depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDo not consume alcohol while on treatment with Rimonabant.
Pregnancy
cautionNo adequate and well-controlled studies with Rimonabant have been conducted on pregnant women. So, the use of Rimonabant during pregnancy is not recommended.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether this medicine is excreted in human milk. Therefore, Rimonabant is not recommended for use in nursing mothers.
Driving
cautionRimonabant may cause fatigue (extreme tiredness); therefore, avoid driving vehicles or operating machinery until you return to normal.
Liver
cautionLimited information was available about using Rimonabant in patients with liver disease. Inform your doctor before receiving the Rimonabant if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionLimited information was available about using Rimonabant in patients with kidney disease. Inform your doctor before receiving the Rimonabant if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
unsafeIt is not recommended to use Rimonabant in children under the age of 18 as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow a balanced eating plan: Follow the reduced-calorie or other eating plan recommended by your doctor or dietitian rather than making extreme changes to your diet.
- Stay physically active: Regular physical activity can support weight management and overall health. Choose activities suitable for your health and fitness level.
- Set realistic goals: Gradual, sustainable changes in eating habits and physical activity are generally easier to maintain over time.
- Limit alcohol: Alcohol adds calories and can affect mood and judgement. Ask your doctor whether alcohol is appropriate for you, particularly if you have mental health concerns or take other medicines.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Obesity: Obesity is a common condition associated with excessive body fat, which in turn increases the risk of other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers and heart disease. Intake of more calories than you burn by exercise or daily activities results in obesity. Some common causes of obesity include insufficient sleep, growing older, pregnancy, genetics, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) or polycystic ovary syndrome (imbalance of female reproductive hormones). Proper diet and exercise are advised, along with medication to treat obesity.
FAQs
Rimonabant contains Rimonabant, an anti-obesity drug that causes weight loss by weight loss by suppressing the appetite by blocking cannabinoid (CB) receptors in the hypothalamus. Rimonabant should be used along with a low-calorie diet and regular physical exercise. Thus, Rimonabant promotes weight loss and lowers the possibility of developing major health issues.
If you take too much medication, such as Rimonabant, call your doctor or go to the hospital right away.
Rimonabant is contraindicated in patients with major eating disorders (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa).
Rimonabant was developed to support weight loss in certain adults with obesity or overweight with related health risks. It was used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity. It has since been withdrawn from many markets where it had been approved because of psychiatric safety concerns.
Rimonabant was linked to an increased risk of psychiatric side effects, particularly depression. There were also concerns about suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Regulators concluded that its benefits did not outweigh these risks.
Yes. Rimonabant blocks CB1 receptors, which are involved in appetite and food intake. Blocking these receptors can reduce appetite and help some people eat less.
Rimonabant can cause or worsen depression and other psychiatric symptoms. When it was marketed, it was not to be used in people with ongoing major depression or those taking antidepressants. Tell your doctor about any current or previous mental health condition before treatment.
Alcohol can affect mood, alertness, and judgement. Ask your doctor whether you should avoid alcohol while taking Rimonabant, particularly if you have mental health concerns or take medicines that affect the brain.
Rimonabant is not recommended during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with rimonabant because it is not known whether the medicine passes into human breast milk and there may be a risk to the baby.
Rimonabant has been withdrawn from many markets where it had been approved because of safety concerns. Its regulatory status can vary by country, so ask your doctor whether it is currently approved and appropriate for you.
If you previously used rimonabant, do not restart treatment on your own. It was withdrawn from many markets because of concerns about serious psychiatric side effects. Speak with your doctor about your current weight-management needs and whether a currently approved treatment may be suitable for you.
Yes. Depending on your health needs and what is approved in your country, treatment options may include medicines such as orlistat or certain GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and liraglutide. These medicines work differently and are not direct substitutes for rimonabant. Your doctor can help determine whether medication is needed and which option is appropriate for you.
Rimonabant was studied in a group of clinical trials known as the RIO (Rimonabant In Obesity) programme. These studies found that rimonabant, when used with diet and lifestyle changes, helped some adults lose weight and improve certain measures related to blood sugar and blood fats. Later evidence raised concerns about psychiatric side effects, which changed the overall assessment of its benefits and risks and led to its withdrawal from many markets.
When rimonabant was marketed for weight management, 20 mg once daily was the standard approved adult dose in regions where it was authorised. This is historical information and should not be used to start or restart treatment. Rimonabant has been withdrawn from many markets, so ask your doctor about currently approved and appropriate weight-management options.
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