Rimonabant: a cannabinoid receptor blocker for the treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
The endocannabinoid system modulates synaptic neurotransmission centrally and peripherally and is involved in the brain pathways concerned with addiction, central regulation of body weight and adipose tissue function. The system is overactivated in animal models of obesity and nicotine use. This review discusses the role of rimonabant, a cannabinoid receptor 1 blocker, which has undergone Phase III clinical testing, in the treatment of obesity and tobacco dependence.


RESULTS
Results of Phase III clinical trials have shown that rimonabant has promising efficacy in the treatment of obesity, dyslipidaemia and diabetes associated with obesity, in preventing weight gain following smoking cessation, and possibly in smoking cessation. No critical problems with the tolerance and safety of the compound have appeared in studies to date.


CONCLUSIONS
Rimonabant may prove to be a useful aid in the treatment of the most widespread cardiometabolic risk factors.
Department of Preventive Cardiology, Ullevål University Hospital, N-0407 Oslo, Norway. serena.tonstad@uus.no
Serena
S
Tonstad
D063387:Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077285:Rimonabant; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D063387:Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D000077285:Rimonabant