Since many dieters struggle with both losing pounds and overcoming a smoking habit, Rimonabant aims to do both by conquering cravings, reducing the appetite, and promoting weight loss. Rimonabant entered the diet industry in 2005 as a powerful weight loss and smoking cessation drug, and as of May 2007, is known as the drug Zimulti. This is a prescription-based drug, and is already being used to treat obesity in Europe. However the FDA has not approved this drug, and it is still undergoing extensive testing and clinical trials. If you're considering taking Rimonabant Acomplia (Zimulti) when it does become available, here's what you need to know:

How Rimonabant Acomplia / Zimulti Works

Acomplia is the active ingredient in Rimonabant (Zimulti), and essentially blocks the signals that create a dependence on food and other habits. This is the root of the problem of smoking and food addiction, and by short-circuiting this process, Acomplia may effectively ‘re-train' the brain to overcome the cravings for food or nicotine. Acomplia is also a powerful appetite suppressant, so the user will eventually consume much less food overall.

The makers of Rimonabant Acomplia/Zimulti hope that over time, this process will essentially create a significant shift in the brain's reaction to food and nicotine, and make losing weight and smoking cessation much easier.

Common Side Effects of Rimonabant

Rimonabant diet pills are potent enough to create significant changes both mentally and physiologically, and the drug does present a number of side effects. In fact, one out of eight people who participated in clinical trials actually dropped out because the side effects were too strong.

Common side effects of Rimonabant include:

• Low blood sugar

• Sleeplessness

• Irritability

• Depression and low mood

• Mood disorders

Sanofi-Aventis is the pharmaceutical company that continues to research this drug, but it still requires years of testing before long-term results can be evaluated. According to this Diet-Blog.com overview, some people also reported uncomfortable effects on their mental health. Poor sleep, feeling depressed and suicidal, and reports of a vicious appetite after stopping use are just a few examples of the side effects of the drug.

Other Warnings About Rimonabant Zimulti

While the initial press releases and research surrounding Rimonabant was favorable, it is still too soon to tell - even four years after the drug was presented for testing. Research so far has shown positive effects on weight loss and smoking cessation, but there is also a significant amount of evidence that links the drug to a number of psychiatric disorders, gastrointestinal imbalances, and even nervous system disorders. Since Sanofi-Aventis funds all the trials and owns the published results, it is difficult to determine whether any ‘results' are just selectively shared with the market.

Bottom Line: Even after years of research, it is still too soon to tell if Rimonabant Zimulti is even a ‘safe' option for dieters and those interested in stopping smoking. The drug is powerful enough to create significant mental and physiological shifts in the body, and the active ingredient Acomplia does pose a number of health risks.

Until the FDA approves this drug, smokers and those dealing with obesity may need to explore other options. Behavioral training, changes in lifestyle, and committing to healthy food choices are all drug-free options for anyone interested in losing weight and being free of a nicotine addiction for the long-term.