The research, reported Tuesday at the American College of Cardiology meeting in Orlando, found that those taking the optimal dose of rimonabant for two years lost an average of 16 pounds (7,4 kg), compared to an average of five pounds (2,3 kg) for people taking a placebo, the Associated Press reported.

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"The majority of weight that was lost at one year is still maintained after two years. There is only a slight increase over that second year," said study leader Dr Luc Van Gaal of the University Hospital of Antwerp. The study was funded by the French company Sanofi-Aventis, which developed the drug.

This is the second time the new drug has shown success in human trials. A previous study of 3 040 obese North Americans reported last fall found that those who took the higher of two doses of rimonabant shed an average of 19 pounds (8,7 kg), compared with an average of five pounds (2,3 kg) for those who took a placebo.

Health officials would welcome a safe, effective anti-obesity drug, Dr Elizabeth Nabel, director of the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, told the AP.

Sanofi-Aventis plan to seek US Food and Drug Administration approval for rimonabant within the next few months. – (HealthDayNews)
 

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