A British discussion forum for users of the diet drug Acomplia (rimonabant) has been getting a number of reports from patients that might cause one to think twice about buying the highly anticipated pill, which has been on sale in the U.K. for several months but still is not approved for sale in the United States.

"I've had to give up taking Acomplia today. I was just starting week eight and feeling terrible," a patient named Caitlin wrote. "I went to my GP (general practitioner) because my usually lovely wavey hair had become thin and lifeless. I had black bags under my eyes and began getting really bad hot flushes five or six times a day. 

"I think I aged 10 years in 8 weeks. This was after a really good start on the drug. My GP took one look at me and told me to stop taking it immediately," Caitlin added.

Another reader, Dawn, responded: "I also have been described as looking like I have just fallen out off my bed! I have been on exactly 2 months today, started last month's supply as I got 2 months supply last time  Think this will be the last for me."

A third user, Diane, wrote: "I had to give up about 2 weeks ago  - but I STILL feel ill."

Admittedly, these comments are anecdotal and likely are not representative of most user experiences -- but lest anyone think they come from a site created to bash this eagerly awaited diet drug, the forum is hosted by a U.K. company that advertises and seeks to sell Acomplia.

Many of the British users reporting on their experiences in the forum have lost weight, although a number report losing less than expected. But what is most striking are reports of side effects -- particularly since concern over the known and unknown side effects of Acomplia is what is believed to be holding up approval at the FDA.

"The worst thing has been the anxiety," Diane explained, "waking up feeling as though something really terrible has happened and not being able to shake the the feeling all day. Being really tired and wanting to just lie down and sleep. I did lose weight - about a stone (14 pounds) in 5 weeks but it wasn't worth it. I have been off them for 2 weeks and I still feel ill."

"Hey, I took Acomplia (as I felt I had had enough of Xenical) but had to give up after 3 weeks," wrote another user. "I experienced the hair loss, the upset tum, the dizzyness (I was misjudging spaces and walking into door frames) persistent crying (or feeling like crying) and the cravings.  To be honest I flushed them down the loo and ordered xen (Xenical) again.  I feel much better but it took several weeks to get back to normal."

"I've not suffered hair loss yet (fingers crossed) but I have wild dreams and struggle to sleep," wrote Sydney. "And I feel quite depressed and demotivated about life and work which is unusual for me."

"I've never had anxiety or depression before and it was so out of character my husband is pleading with me to come of Acomplia," she wrote in a subsequent posting. "In the last week, my hair is snapping off.  I notice about 12 strands fall into my plate every meal time (perhaps that is the way that Acomplia puts you off your food)."

" I am going to finish the final six weeks I have, to see if something magical happens," Sydney concludes.

"But I think we should be given our money back and we should write to NIACe (the British agency that ultimately will decide whether the National Health Service will cover the drug) and tell them not to recommend this drug until they know much more about it (especially who it will work for and who it will not)," she adds.