A controversial new diet drug has been approved for NHS use in England and Wales, despite concerns that it may be linked to depression and suicide.
Rimonabant is used by thousands of Britons and, coupled with exercise, could help them to lose up to 10% of their body weight.
Last year the European Medicines Agency voiced concerns that rimonabant may be unsafe for patients already taking anti-depressants. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) acknowledged these concerns, but today gave the go ahead to the drug being made available to NHS patients.
Doctors have been warned that rimonabant should not be prescribed to patients with a history of depression and to be vigilant for the early signs of depression in new users of the medication.
The drug, whose brand name is Acomplia, will only be available on the NHS to patients who have unsuccessfully tried alternative drugs like orlistat.
Rimonabant has been available in the UK since 2006. Since then the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has received 720 reports of adverse reactions to the drug.
Rimonabant is used by thousands of Britons and, coupled with exercise, could help them to lose up to 10% of their body weight.
Last year the European Medicines Agency voiced concerns that rimonabant may be unsafe for patients already taking anti-depressants. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) acknowledged these concerns, but today gave the go ahead to the drug being made available to NHS patients.
Doctors have been warned that rimonabant should not be prescribed to patients with a history of depression and to be vigilant for the early signs of depression in new users of the medication.
The drug, whose brand name is Acomplia, will only be available on the NHS to patients who have unsuccessfully tried alternative drugs like orlistat.
Rimonabant has been available in the UK since 2006. Since then the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has received 720 reports of adverse reactions to the drug.
