Obesity - rimonabant (withdrawn)

Summary

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA), the European Union (EU) body which is responsible for monitoring the safety of medicines, has recommended the suspension of the marketing authorisation for rimonabant (acomplia) from Sanofi-Aventis. The EMEA has concluded that the benefits of rimonabant no longer outweigh its risks and the marketing authorisation should be suspended across the EU. The EMEA has advised that patients who are currently taking rimonabant should consult their doctor or pharmacist at a convenient time to discuss their treatment. The EMEA has advised that there is no need for patients to stop treatment with rimonabant immediately, but patients who wish to stop can do so at any time.

As a result of the EMEA's decision, NICE has temporarily withdrawn its guidance on the use of rimonabant for the treatment of overweight and obese patients. NICE will continue to review the status of its guidance in light of any further changes to rimonabant's marketing authorisation.

Further information on the EMEA's decision is available from its website.

Documents

For healthcare professionals

• None found

For patients, carers and the public

• None found

Background information

• NICE issues guidance on rimonabant for the treatment of overweight and obese patients

Implementing this guidance

Any further information NICE has produced to help the NHS implement this guideline locally is linked to below:

• None found