Anti-Obesity Drug Pulled From Market Due To Suicidality, Depression

Sanofi-aventis today announced that it was temporarily pulling Accomplia, its anti-obesity drug, from the market in Europe due to reports of side effects problems with the drug, including suicidality and depression. The drug has only been on the market in Europe a short time and is not approved for sale in the US.

From the BBC:

"There have always been concerns over the risks of depression and suicide associated with the drug, and in July last year, the EMEA warned it may be unsafe for patients also taking anti-depressants.

"Doctors were also told not to give it to patients with a history of major depression, and to be alert for new symptoms of depression in patients taking the drug. But data from more recent studies, and from Sanofi-Aventis itself, has shown there is around double the risk of psychiatric disorders in obese or overweight patients taking rimonabant compared to those taking dummy pills.

"And between June and August 2008, there were five suicides among patients taking part in a trial who were on the drug, compared with one among those taking the dummy version."

Five suicides in a clinical trial is a lot, even more so because the drug wasn't being trialed for a psychiatric condition. Makes you wonder what the drug's mechanism is that's uncorking all of this.