The biggest problems faced today, by our society, have to do with alarming increases in body weight, body fat, and often, obesity. So what is the solution?

The most commonly recommended solution is exercise, and restriction of one’s diet. While the former works gradually over a period of time, it is often difficult to stick to a specific diet, when career demands often dictate, where you eat, with who you eat, what you eat, and most often, when you eat.

While exercise is something that may be done at one’s convenience, the search for something that will regularize and control the appetite leads us to, what we call weight loss drugs.

Rimonabant, is a weight loss drug, that works by suppressing your appetite. Often sold in the market under names such as Acomplia, Zimulti, Slimona, Obitone; this drug is available as tablets and extended release capsules.

It is important that this drug is taken ONLY after being prescribed by a doctor. The success of your weight loss program will depend on how completely you have described your medical background to your doctor, before he prescribes the medication. Since Rimonabant works by acting on that part of your brain that deals with appetite, it is important that you mention to the doctor, any other medications that you may be taking, which may be one or more of, say, insulin, MAO inhibitors phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), fluvoxamine (Luvox), guanethidine, and fluoxetine (Prozac). Sometimes you take drugs for depression and other things, and these, like, paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and vitamins also have a bearing on whether you are an ideal candidate for Rimonabant.

When taking weight loss drugs, it is extremely important to let your doctor know if you have any problems, and are taking any medication related to blood pressure, heart, and overactive thyroid glands. Having diabetes, and taking medication for it, arteriosclerosis (or narrowing and hardening of arteries), as well as glaucoma (an eye disease) is also bad news for anyone contemplating taking weight loss drugs.

If you are pregnant, or planning to get pregnant, the doctor needs to know about it. In addition, if you are breast-feeding, you may simply endanger the baby’s health, by taking these drugs indiscriminately.

So discuss with your doctor regarding your medications, any medical conditions you are suffering from, any life-stage issues, as well s your family history, which is very important.

While Rimonabant works, it is also useful to know that if you have a job that involves driving, you need to tell the doctor that.

Rimonabant makes you drowsy. So taking this and driving is not at all advisable. Like all drugs, this drug too has side effects. You may or may not experience all, but it is prudent to know what these side effects are. If you notice anything like constipation, unpleasant taste in the mouth, diarrhea, dry mouth, or even vomiting, consult your doctor.

While these are minor side effects, be suitably alarmed if you have symptoms like increase in ,restlessness, dizziness, tremors, insomnia, shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of the legs and ankles, and even if you notice difficulty doing exercise that you have been able to do earlier. Blood pressure increase and heart palpitations are a sure sign that you need to immediately contact your doctor.