In a recently released analysis, US drug reviewers revealed that patients who took a Sanofi-Aventis SA obesity pill in clinical trials were more likely to report suicidal thoughts or actions. In the trials, Zimulti produced clinically significant weight loss over one year. Known generically as rimonabant, the drug already is sold in 18 countries under the name Acomplia.
The reviewers noted that psychiatric problems represented the most common and worrisome rimonabant-induced adverse events. Depression was roughly twice as high for Zimulti patients compared with others who got a placebo.
Zimulti is a new type of drug that works by blocking food craving signals in the brain. Sanofi developed the drug to target brain receptors that trigger intense hunger after marijuana use. The French drug maker hopes to have the US FDA approve the drug for use in the US, and predicts to generate $3 billion in sales from the US market.
