| If you went to college in the 60's and 70's you may | | | | 3% of obese subjects in a weight loss study. Nausea |
| remember the "munchies" or voracious appetite | | | | was another important limiting side-effect. |
| which sometimes accompanied marijuana smoking. | | | | Industry experts speculate that Acomplia may be |
| Little did the pot heads of that day realize that | | | | available for U.S. consumers by this summer but no |
| medications in the future which block the munchies | | | | one knows for sure. Insurance companies in the U.S. |
| would help them shed the pounds that they would | | | | will not pay for medications for weight loss. Only a |
| gain over the next 30 or so years. | | | | drug that treats a medical illness or condition will be |
| This new medication, ramonabant (affectionately | | | | "covered" by an insurance company. For that reason |
| known at as Ramona), brand name Acomplia, is | | | | it is thought that Sanofi-Aventis will approach the |
| presently available in Europe and may soon be | | | | FDA for an approval to use Ramona in the treatment |
| available in the United States. The company which | | | | of diabetes. This is because many diabetics will see |
| produces this medication, Sanofi-Aventis, has been in | | | | an improvement in their blood sugar as they lose |
| lengthy negotiations with the FDA regarding gaining | | | | weight and because Ramona may have a direct |
| the critical approval required to bring Acomplia to | | | | beneficial effect on glucose and cholesterol regulation, |
| market in the U.S. There has been much speculation | | | | as well. It will then be up to the FDA to finish their |
| about the reasons for the lengthy delay in gaining | | | | analysis of the safety and efficacy of the drug for |
| approval from the FDA. One possible reason is that | | | | this purpose. How long this will take is anyone's guess. |
| although extensive clinical trials suggest that the new | | | | In the meantime we wait and wait and wait for |
| drug is safe and effective for weight loss, many | | | | Ramona. At we have been thinking that it might help |
| experts are concerned about potential side-effects | | | | if our members wrote a song about their feelings on |
| of ramonabant. | | | | the matter. |
| Studies show that about 30-40% of obese people | | | | We took a stab and came up with this little ditty. |
| taking ramonabant lost more than 5% of their body | | | | (in a Calypso beat) |
| weight and 10-20% of subjects lost over 10% of | | | | Lyrics by GPepper, Director Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona |
| their body weight above what they lost on diet | | | | Why you left me so blue? |
| alone. Because Ramona acts on the liver as well it | | | | Xenical not nearly so sweet as you. |
| had beneficial effects on triglycerides and other fats | | | | Oh Ramon, My Ramona |
| in the blood. Blood pressure reduction has also been | | | | Me want to shed these ugly pound |
| observed with Ramona treatment. | | | | Me getting to look so soft and round |
| Ramona works by blocking an important chemical | | | | Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona |
| pathway in the brain known as the endocannabinoid | | | | Why you left me so blue? |
| system. Scientists speculate that our body naturally | | | | I'm all alone wit'a powerful taste for some yellow |
| manufactures substances resembling cannabis | | | | cheese fondu. |
| (marijuana, pot, reefer erc.), which interact with the | | | | Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona |
| endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid | | | | I don't know if you sinner or saint |
| system not only participates in the control of | | | | You make my liver happy but the rest of me body |
| appetite but is active in many areas of the body | | | | complaint. |
| including the gastrointestinal tract, mood regulation, | | | | Please add your comments and your own song to |
| bone development, muscle control, blood pressure, | | | | the blog at It may help you feel better. |
| adaptation to stress and the reproductive system. | | | | Only you and your doctor can decide on what |
| Several experts such as University of Colorado at | | | | medical treatments are best for you. The articles on |
| Colorado Springs biology professor Dr. Robert | | | | such as this one are meant for educational purposes |
| Melamede have warned that the long term use of | | | | only and should not be used to guide you in your |
| Ramona for weight loss could result in unwanted | | | | medical care. Speak to your health professional |
| side-effects involving these other body systems. In | | | | before undertaking to change or initiate medical |
| fact, depression is listed as one of the side-effects | | | | treatment plans. |
| that may limit Ramona's tolerability occurring in about | | | | |