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Rimonabant: The role of endocannabinoid type 1 receptor antagonism in modulating the weight and lipid profile of obese patients

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Abstract

Rimonabant is a selective blocker of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor that has been developed for treatment of abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and control of diabetes. Four randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that following 1 year of treatment, 20 mg/d of rimonabant is associated with greater weight loss and reduction in waist circumference compared with placebo. Therapy with rimonabant is associated with favorable changes in serum high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides, as well as with an improvement in glycemic control among obese type 2 diabetic patients. Rimonabant appears to be well tolerated, with the most common side effects being nausea, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Rimonabant is a novel agent that has the potential to be a useful adjunct to lifestyle and behavior modification in treatment of abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and dysglycemia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, TIMI Study Group, 350 Longwood Avenue, First Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Christopher P. Cannon MD

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  1. Christopher T. Dibble MD
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  2. Eli V. Gelfand MD
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  3. Christopher P. Cannon MD
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Correspondence to Christopher P. Cannon MD.

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Dibble, C.T., Gelfand, E.V. & Cannon, C.P. Rimonabant: The role of endocannabinoid type 1 receptor antagonism in modulating the weight and lipid profile of obese patients. Curr Atheroscler Rep 9, 359–366 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-007-0046-z

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