Warning over 'suicide risk' obesity pill

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Rimonabant is banned in America because of safety fears but can now be prescribed for British patients who cannot use two other weight-loss drugs.

However, doctors have been warned not to give the pill to patients with a history of depression or suicidal thoughts.

In December, the Lancet medical journal said in a trial patients using the medication were three times more likely to stop using it because of anxiety than patients given a dummy drug.

The European Medicines Agency has warned that rimonabant, also known as Acomplia, may be unsafe for patients on anti-depressants.

New guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence states that patients should use the drug while also following a healthy diet and taking exercise. It should only be used by people who have already tried two other drugs, orlistat and sibutramine - also known as Xenical and Reductil.

The pill is taken orally every day and costs about £2 per pill.