Rimonabant overview

Rimonabant is a selective CB1 receptor blocker that works to treat obesity in people unable to keep their weight under control. The effects of this medicine are based on affecting certain chemicals in your brain that can cause extreme hunger. It has been found that the same chemicals are responsible for causing nicotine cravings, so by taking rimonabant you can get rid of another problem as well. Rimonabant has also been reported to boost the levels of good cholesterol in your blood and improve a whole array or cardio-metabolic factors in patients taking it. This medicine is supposed to be combined with a healthier diet and regular exercise, so you will have to listen to your doctor very carefully in order to be able to benefit from using this medicine. You will need to follow all the instructions concerning your lifestyle – the food you eat, how often you exercise ands other things of the kind.

Taking rimonabant regularly

If you take this medicine exactly as prescribed, you will start losing weight soon and will be able to maintain the progress achieved for a long time. However, it’s very important to use rimonabant regularly – preferably at the same time every day to make sure the medicine says at the same level in your blood. Rimonabant helps you lose weight by reducing food cravings, and missing a dose can affect the quality of your treatment, as you will experience hunger and might eat more than necessary. You may be required to show up for regular health check-ups to make sure your doctor examines you. Your blood may need to be tested to see how much you benefit form the treatment and whether a dose adjustment is required. Take rimonabant once a day on an empty stomach unless your health care provide recommended doing otherwise. In that case follow the recommendations exactly and avoid missing doses or taking more than necessary. If you missed a d some – take it as soon as possible, but if you will need to take a bother one soon- skip the dose missed and carry on with your treatment.

Rimonabant side effects

Just like most medicines, rimonabant can cause side effects that can be different in intensity. It’s impossible to say for sure which side effects you will get. Some people take rimonabant without getting any side effects at all, while others are forced to stop the treatment if their side effects get too strong. You will need to watch for any side effects that change in intensity or get bothersome and report them to your health care provider right away when they do. The following side effects are commonly reported by people taking rimonabant: anorexia, dry mouth, impaired memory, diarrhea, depressions, nervousness, vomiting, anxiety, sleep disorders, nausea, and irritability. Serious side effects are unlikely.

Taking other drugs with rimonabant

Rimonabant can cause interactions with other medicines, which is why you aren’t supposed to combine it with anything else. Your doctor needs to see the list of drugs you are taking at the moment (in case there are several of them) to figure out whether taking rimonabant is possible and will be safe for you. The following drugs are especially important to mention if you are taking them at the moment or intend to take them in the nearest future: depression medications, antidiabetes medications, epilepsy drugs, antidepressants, antifungals, antibiotics, rifampicin, St. John’s wort, medicines for weight loss, HIV medications, and drugs for normal blood lipid levels. If there are any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are using or have to use in the future – make sure you let your doctor know about them as well before starting your treatment with rimonabant.