The manufacturer of Acomplia (rimonabant) Sanofi-Aventis reported that according to the findings of a recent medical trial the drug significantly improved glucose control in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The 11-month trial called ARPEGIO involved 368 patients with type 2 diabetes who had been treated with standard insulin-diet-exercise therapies for an average of six years prior to the study. Presenting the results of the trial at the 68th session of the American Diabetes Association Sanofi-Aventis officials claimed that Acomplia had improved the glucose control three times as compared to insulin treatment and healthy lifestyle alone. The group of patients receiving Acomplia also experienced fewer adverse effects related to the treatment such as compared to the control group (16.8% and 19.3% respectively).
Now the manufacturer plans to submit Acomplia for approval as type 2 diabetes medication. The drug has already received approval as an obesity treatment in the European Union and is marketed in a number of countries in Europe. The US FDA, however, suspended the approval process for four years because of the possible depression risks associated with the drug.
