F.D.A. Panel Rejects Drug for Obesity

A drug once viewed as a possible magic bullet against obesity was rejected yesterday by a federal advisory panel because of worries that it causes neurological and psychiatric problems and increases the risk of suicide.

Although the drug, rimonabant, is already marketed in 37 countries, it is now unlikely that the FDA will approve its sale in the US without additional safety data.

The advisory panel voted unanimously, 14 to 0, against recommending the drug, saying there was inadequate evidence of its safety. The FDA is not required to follow the advice of such panels, but it typically does.

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