FAT CHANCE: A new drug designed to curb appetite is on the horizon.
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Want to lose weight but lack the willpower to just say no to fatty foods and sweets? Help may be on the way. The first clinical trials of an experimental weight-loss drug show that it helps curb appetite—and burn more fat—even at low doses.
[See update at the end of this story.]
Researchers report in the journal Cell Metabolism that taranabant, developed by drug giant Merck, is the second drug found to be successful in fighting flab by blocking cannabinoid receptors (responsible for the psychological effects of marijuana a.k.a. Cannabis sativa) in the brain's reward circuitry.
"The effects of marijuana on appetite have been known for millennia from its medicinal and recreational use," said study author Steven Heymsfield of Merck Research Laboratories. "The ingredient responsible stimulates cannabinoid receptors. When you block the cannabinoid system with an antagonist like taranabant, you suppress appetite."
The first indication that the cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor might be a prime weight-loss target came during studies of an earlier drug called rimonabant (manufactured by sanofi-aventis), which is now available as a diet aid in several European countries but has yet to receive the Food and Drug Administration's nod for use in the U.S.
Heymsfield and his team found that obese people given low doses of taranabant consumed fewer calories, expended more energy and shed pounds. The scientists initially tested the drug on animals, which lost weight on doses that inhibited just 30 percent of their cannabinoid receptors. Armed with this knowledge, the researchers used positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to determine the amount (four to six milligrams) of taranabant that would achieve a similar goal in humans.
They found that obese patients lost significant weight during the 12-week trial at surprisingly low doses ranging from 0.5 to six milligrams; those who took a 12-milligram dose consumed 27 percent fewer calories than subjects given a placebo. The researchers reported that plump participants on the drug also expended more energy while at rest and appeared to burn more fat.
But lest you think more is less—literally—take note: The medical team said higher doses had some potential negative side effects, most notably nausea, vomiting and moodiness. This was not entirely unexpected, Heymsfield said, given that it has the opposite effect of marijuana, which has been known to quell nausea associated with cancer treatments and, also, to calm rather than irritate people.
Next up: A larger phase III clinical trial to further explore the drug's potential benefits and risks. "All we have here is 12 weeks," Heymsfield said. "We don't yet know what will happen at six months or a year.
Update (posted 1/2/09): As the Wall Street Journal Health Blog reported in October, Merck has cancelled its studies of taranabant because subjects had " an increase in anxiety, irritability and depressed mood."
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13 Comments
Add CommentI cant imagine there being too many negitive side effects seeing has how marijuana has had no reported side effects other then the "munchies" this could be a useful tool to help people who cant seem to stop eating. Though I think with all diet drugs you cant just give it to a patient and tell them they will melt away the pounds. Diet and exersize should always be advised by doctors. But cheers on the discovery!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI was on the study for Taranabant; for 2 years. Lost almost 40 lbs. Ended in Oct. and have started to gain back some of the weight. I had very few adverse effects from the drug. Look forward to it being approved and put on the market.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHOW DO I GET THE NEW DRUG
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHow does one get into a clinical trial? I have watched another similar drug which for some unknown reason the FDA will not approve, Acomplia, in the US, but of course this would seriously cut (pardon the pun) into the bariatric surgery business and of course the difference between a $10 pill and a $30,000 surgery, well need I say more? Then there is the tobacco portion as smoking cessation is another benefit. The various "lobby's" are too vested in personal financial gain vs what is good for mankind.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThrough mere observation, I have noticed that some people who seem to lack a significant appetite in general (general lack of interest in food) seem to take more of an interest in marijuana use. Could this observation be based on fact? Could these people potentially have mildly impaired cannabinoid receptors causing decreased appetite and more of a need for cannabinoid stimulation, such as from marijuana? Could prove to be interesting research. Thoughts?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGreat. Another magic pill the pharmaceutical companies will make a gajillion dollars in profits off of. Meanwhile the fat turds who take it will continue eating triple meat hamburgers, greasy fries and Diet Pepsi to the tune of 4,000 calories (or more) a day. My question for Merck is this: How's that cure for cancer or AIDS coming along?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPookie,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree with what you say but also counter with the fact that obesity must be conquered any way possible. I would view this pill as helping ward off the desire to eat the "triple meat hamburgers, etc". The human brain is imperfect and must be improved - unfortunately willpower alone is not cutting it for the majority. Initially it was the fat American, now it's becoming the fat European, and it's becoming the fat Asian... obesity is not strictly a nation-state phenom anymore. So, I agree with you but...
My additional question to you Pookie would be how is your contribution coming along to cure cancer or AIDS? I assume you are doing something, being a reader of Scientific American. Don't complain and put it on someone else's shoulders to solve problems you want to see solved. EOM
"Great. Another magic pill the pharmaceutical companies will make a gajillion dollars in profits off of. Meanwhile the fat turds who take it will continue eating triple meat hamburgers, greasy fries and Diet Pepsi to the tune of 4,000 calories (or more) a day. My question for Merck is this: How's that cure for cancer or AIDS coming along?"
How can you compare AIDS to obesity? I mean, really? How many AIDS sufferers do you think would jump out of their seats if they were told "Diet and exercise"? That's the wrong comparison to be making my friend.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAnyways, I see obesity as something similar to drug addiction. If the person suffering from it is not willing to do whatever it takes to get better, they aren't going to get better. No pill can force them to get better and no short term fix like a pill will make them get better.
That being said, I have been overweight (though not obese) in my life and am not anymore. Why? Diet and exercise. i take care of myself. So, I have trouble supporting any physician that support a pill over a real, proven, lasting method. Pills never work in the long term.
I was put on the clinical trial by my physician. You can go on line and sign on for clinical trials in your area. Takes some research.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree, to some degree...but one that is addicted to food; has as serious an addiction as one addicted to nicotine or alcohol. But you can't expect to take a pill and the fat will melt away, and you can eat whatever you want.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDuring this study, I had to journal every bite I put into my mouth, and log all my daily exercise and activities.
If you didn't follow the guildelines, you were taken off the study. This isn't a magic bullet. It's supposed to be an aid for those that have tried it alone, and failed. You have to basically, expend more calories than your body is taking in, and the only way to do that, is to get off your butt and exercise.
Obesity takes a number of lives daily; just as aids. People who contract aids, don't always live the kind of life style, I would care to put my money behind, in research, either. But...this isn't intended to be a magical bullet. It's an aid in accomplishing what you want to do to improve your health. You still have to exericse.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisLike Janine, I have been on the Merck study for three years. The first year I was on taranabant and lost 75 pounds. The second year, something changed. I was either on a lower dosage or the placebo and gained 7 pounds. Keeping a diary and trying to keep active was part of the plan. The second year ended last November and I joined a gym and gained more weight. Not just muscle, but weight around my middle, hips and waist. The third year started back up in January and I am pretty sure that I am not on the drug. The cravings have returned and it has been a struggle to keep on track. I hope that this drug will be approved soon.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe only negative I had when taking it was severe sweating and nausea when seeing greasy, gooey food. My cravings were gone and I was many sizes smaller. Such a deal!
Diets and diet aids do not help anyone. The only way to successfully lose weight and get the body that you want is by using the right information. This information can be found in the book Lose Weight Using Four Easy Steps which can be ordered through the website www.bbotw.com Everyone who has gotten a copy of this book is now healthier.
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