So Much for Big Pharma's 'Anti-Pot' Pill (AlterNet)

[marmar]

So Much for Big Pharma's 'Anti-Pot' Pill

By Paul Armentano, AlterNet. Posted June 15, 2007.



The FDA has rejected a controversial diet aid that is supposed to counteract the effects of pot and has been linked to suicidal thoughts and depression.

An independent U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee determined yesterday that the controversial "anti-pot" pill Rimonabant is unsafe for human consumption in the United States. Sanofi-Aventis' would-be diet aid -- which has been linked to suicidal thoughts, depression and even multiple sclerosis -- counteracts the effects of marijuana and similar naturally occurring chemicals in the body (so-called endocannabinoids), causing users to lose their appetites and, according to the warnings of experts, a host of other unwanted and dangerous side effects.

Rimonabant does not possess a "favorable risk-benefit profile" to warrant U.S. market approval, members of the FDA's Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drug advisory panel determined in a 14-0 vote. Panelists reported that patients prescribed Rimonabant experienced increased incidences of depression, nausea, vomiting, and suicidal tendencies. Adverse neurological symptoms in some patients were also reported.

The expert panel's rejection sent shares of Sanofi stock plummeting and may have worldwide implications. Last summer European regulators gave preliminary approval to the pill, which has now been prescribed to some 100,000 patients under the trade name Acomplia. However, following Wednesday's unanimous decision, representatives of the European Medicines Agency immediately announced that they will begin hearings to consider recalling the drug.

For Sanofi stockholders and analysts, who had predicted that pharmaceutical giant's "anti-pot" pill could one day rake in some $3 billion in annual profits, the news is a disappointing financial setback. But to health experts familiar with the workings of Rimonabant and similar drugs, the FDA panel's decision comes as little surprise and is long overdue. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/54191/

[htuttle]

1. Why would they even develop an 'anti-pot' pill?

Sounds like it does the opposite of pot -- it makes you unhappy, tense, and have no appetite. Who the hell would they give that to? People who are too happy?

Sounds more like a 'balding old white guy' pill to me...

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Hey! "balding old white guy?"

Some of us have been around a little too, ya know.

[DeSwiss]

5. LOL!!!

[htuttle]

9. I'm well on my way there myself

Though I've vowed that I will not cut my ponytail -- it's going to have to fall out on it's own, like all the rest of my hair...

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. Well, OBVIOUSLY,

if someone is rushed to the emergency room because of a dangerous OD on pot, they need something that will bring him down hard and fast.

Right?:hippie:

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Depression, nausea, vomiting, suicidal tendencies, multiple sclerosis...

A small price to pay to stamp out the Killer Weed, if ya ask me.

[OnyxCollie]

4. Depression, nausea, vomiting, suicidal tendencies, multiple sclerosis?

I have something that can help with that. Got any papers?:smoke:

[asthmaticeog]

6. OK, I'm confused.

They developed something that is, intentionally, the exact opposite of something almost universally considered pleasant.

And they expected to make money?

[alkaline9]

8. label something "diet pill" and watch it fly off the shelf...nt

[Jackpine Radical]

10. Hell yes, they'd make money with it.

Every bluenose in both parties would vote to make it mandatory for anybody caught with THC in their bloodstream. Kinda like your personal paraquat.