Approximately one person in 10 taking diet drug Acomplia (rimonabant) experiences psychiatric side effects and about one person in 100 experiences suicidal thoughts, according to U.K. regulators.

Of some 41,000 patients treated with rimonabant since it was launched in the U.K. in June 2006, 364 "psychiatric reactions have been reported," the Department of Health's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said on July 19th.

"Amongst these, there have been 48 reports of depression, 16 reports of suicidal thoughts and one report of self-injury," the regulatory agency said.

The MHRA said evidence suggested one person in 10 taking Acomplia may develop psychiatric side effects, and "approximately one patient in every 100 may experience suicidal thoughts."

The MHRA advised: "If you start to experience symptoms of depression while taking Acomplia, or if you are currently being treated with antidepressants, consult your doctor.

"If you have had depression in the past but feel well on Acomplia, you should continue treatment with Acomplia and discuss your treatment with your doctor at your next routine appointment."

The European Medicines Agency, however, took a more aggressive approach, deciding that Acomplia can remain on the market but with tougher warnings against its use by persons with major depression or anyone on an antidepressant.

The EMEA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) said "too many patients are taking Acomplia at the same time as antidepressants, even though Acomplia is not recommended for use in patients also taking antidepressants."

While the CHMP said "Acomplia must no longer be used in these patients," it concluded "that the benefits of Acomplia continue to outweigh its risks, except in patients with ongoing major depression or taking antidepressants."

Source: http://www.acompliareport.com...;

Other weight-loss drugs or supplements fall into a category that is not tested by the FDA. Such supplements are not allowed to claim that they cure or prevent disease and if the claims made do seem promising then the FDA does not back it up.

However, this new drug has been tested. I still warn you to be cautious since many drugs have side effects and interactions that are not found until the drug has been used for some time. The fact that the FDA has approved its proper use is helpful in determining a level of safety and efficacy.

The drug, Alli, claims to help you lose 50 percent more weight than what you would lose on just exercise and diet alone. It is not suggested for use by those who need to lose only a few pounds. Alli is a drug that blocks the absorption of fat by the body. This can lessen the amount of calories that your body absorbs and thus, helps you lose weight.

It works as an enzyme that attaches to the fat molecules that enter your body. It blocks about a quarter of the amount of fat absorbed as calories.

What isn't absorbed is carried out of the body. Therefore, if you eat too much fat in your diet, the excess fat can leave your body in a not-too-pleasant way.

There are side effects to this weight-loss plan. These are some of the side effects that www.myalli.com lists: Gas with oily spotting, loose stools and more frequent stools that may be hard to control.

Those effects may not be worth the added weight loss. So I highly recommend that you try a reduced-calorie diet and a healthy dose of exercise first. The Alli weight loss plan includes daily pills as well as tailored eating plan found on the Web site.

Once you purchase the package, you will be able to register for myalliplan for free. You can also take a quick quiz on the Web site to see if you are a good candidate.

General questions are if you are: willing to try to lose weight gradually, committed to eating a low-calorie, low-fat diet (15 grams or less a day), committed to eating smaller portions, understand the possible side effects, make more time to be physically active and if you will read the label and follow directions properly. It is also recommended that you only do this program if you have significant weight to lose.

As with any weight-loss program, you should consult with your physician before starting.

There are other fat blocking-supplements and drugs, including Orlistat, that you have to get through a prescription, and chitosan, which is derived from shellfish. Do your research and remember that many weight-loss supplements are not tested by the FDA and have a greater risk for side effects and improper ingredients.

Another thing to consider is the cost. You can take up to three capsules a day and the starter pack contains 90 capsules. The starter pack costs roughly $60 and the refill container contains 60 capsules at about $50. That between $2 and $2.50 a day.

If you decide to try this plan, then make sure you change your lifestyle habits so that when you quit the program, you can maintain your weight loss and control the things that got you where you are.

It is imperative that you find ways to change lifestyle habits and if a program like this can help you lower your calories and fat intake, then it is helping you gain some control and balance. Make sure that the program leads you be to a healthier person inside and out.

Source: http://www.statesmanjournal.c...;

Alli , the much anticipated, fat-blocking diet pill has been on pharmacy shelves for around three weeks now and the drug’s future is still beyond speculation. In effect, the pill is a low-dose, FDA approved version of the prescription only, Xenical, both of which prevent the body from absorbing around a quarter of ingested fat, according to Alli manufacturer, Glaxo Smith Kline. But, controversy still surrounds the drug and many wonder if shedding a few pounds is worth the hassle.

Alli has been in the news for a number of reasons. For one, it is one of the first diet pills sanctioned by the FDA. But, the real headline maker for the pill has been its unsettling side effects, which, according to the manufacturer, can include uncontrollable diarrhea and “gas with oily spotting.” These “treatment effects” can be so explosive that the company has recommended that users pack a change of clothes until they can acclimate to the drug.

Certain Glaxo Smith Kline message boards dedicated to the pill’s side effects are a horror show of detailed bodily functions. One user recently described a bout with treatment effects at her office, though luckily, she says, “it didn’t soak through to my chair.”

“I believe the fries are what did it,” another poster speculates. “…I had some strange oily deposits. Like when you put oil in water but only an orange color.”

Some critics argue that the relatively low weight loss results don’t warrant the risk of potentially inflated dry cleaning bills. Mike Adams, a consumer health advocate, recently charged that the drug was barely effective in clinical trials and that users could have achieved the same weight loss by simply cutting out a thousand calories per week. Other critics worry that the drug may also block healthy fats.

The pill seems to be selling well through it all. And the majority of users have reported no ill side effects. In fact, some were upset that they didn’t experience treatment effects and claimed to intentionally eat fatty foods to see what would happen, often with no yucky results. Others claim to have lost 5 to 10 lbs in the first week of treatment with no side effects at all.

At the end of the day, the equation is simple: the more fat you eat while taking Alli, the more will be passed through and discharged. In some ways the side effects are more incentive than anything to eat lower fat meals.

“It makes me stick to a diet,” one user admitted. “I know what will happen if I don’t.”

Source: http://www.columbiacitypaper....;