Rimonabant as an adjunct therapy in overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

The potential of rimonabant, the first representative of a new class of drugs, the CB1-receptor blocker, to induce weight loss and beneficial metabolic effects in support of a healthier lifestyle are undoubtedly impressive (references 3 and 4 of the letter). Guidelines, however, are to be based on available evidence in the form of published, full papers at the time they are consented. In view of this pre-condition, we regret that the rimonabant data in patients with diabetes were published after the complex work of the guideline-producing process had been terminated. Moreover, some of these data are still available in the abstract format only (reference 5 of the letter).