 | Table 1
Nature Medicine 12, 27 (2006)
Published online: 29 December 2005; | doi:10.1038/nm0106-27
Rimonabant adds appetizing choice to slim obesity marketMeredith Wadman | | | | Table 1 Major obesity drugs on the US market | | | Drug | Manufacturer | Mechanism of action | Launched | 2004 US sales | Side effects | Daily cost (approx.) | | | | | Orlistat (Xenical) | Roche | Blocks fat absorption in the gut | 1998 | $102 million | Oily spotting, abdominal pain, fecal urgency | $3.40 | | Sibutramine (Meridia) | Abbott | Inhibits reuptake of neurotransmit-ters, producing feeling of fullness | 1999 | $73 million | Headache, dry mouth, anorexia, constipation, insomnia, high blood pressure | $3.10 | | Phentermine (Adipex-P, Ionamin) | Gate Pharmaceuticals, Medeva Pharmaceuticals | Increases levels of catecholamines, producing feeling of fullness. | 1970 | $49 million | Tremor, increased heart rate, palpitations, insomnia, high blood pressure | $1.00 | |
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