How Rimonabant Works?

Rimonabant targets an area in the brain called the Endocannabinoid System. It blocks the receptors in this area, meaning that Cannabinoids (chemical compounds containing ‘hungry’ messages) cannot reach the system. This lowers the intake of food, resulting in weight loss.

The Endocannabinoid system affects the regulation of energy use, the breaking down of sugars, lipids and of the regulation of body weight and metabolism.

Rimonabant targets visceral fat, a layer of fat which forms around internal organs. Reducing this layer of fat has been found to stem the production of harmful substances (such as cholesterol), which prevent the body responding to insulin. This effectively means that Rimonabant can lower the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular heart disease.

Is it Effective?

Trials of Rimonabant over the last few years have shown it to be an effective weight loss aid for some people. It was found that, of those taking 20mg tablets of Rimonabant, a third lost over 10% of their initial body weight, while over 60% lost over 5%. Average waist measurements are reported to have reduced by between 6 and 9 cm (3-4 inches).

Patients followed a low calorie diet while taking the drug, and achieved better results than a control group following a low calorie diet and taking a placebo.

Participants in these trials also showed improved glucose control, cholesterol and triglyceride measurements from blood fats. These results show improvements of beyond what is expected from normal weight loss. For this reason, Rimonabant is believed to have positive effects on these measures. High-Density lipoprotein cholesterol (The good cholesterol) measures had also improved beyond expected levels.