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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested that the manufacturer of Belviq and Belviq XR (Lorcaserin) voluntarily withdraw the weight-loss drug from the U.S. market because a safety clinical trial shows an increased occurrence of cancer. The drug manufacturer, Eisai Inc,. has submitted a request to voluntarily withdraw the drug. This decision came following an FDA warning that Belviq had not passed a recent safety trial, and that there was a possibility that the drug could increase a person’s risk of cancer.

What Is Belviq and How Does It Work?

Belviq and Belviq XR (generic is Lorcaserin) is a drug designed to aid weight loss in the context of treatments for obesity- and overweight-related health issues. The drug works by reducing a person’s sense of hunger.

Higher Risk of Pancreatic, Colon and Lung Cancer

FDA officials note that when they initially “approved lorcaserin in 2012, [they] required the drug manufacturer to conduct a clinical trial to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular problems.” However, the safety trial demonstrated that the drug was not safe, and that it could possibly make people taking it more likely to develop some forms of cancer, including pancreatic, colon and lung cancers.

What Should Patients Do?

Patients should stop taking Belviq and talk to their health care professionals about alternative weight-loss medicines and weight management programs. Patients should also safely dispose of any remaining Belviq by returning it to a drug take back location. If one is not available the FDA recommends taking the following steps to safely dispose of the medication:

1. Mix the pills with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds; do not crush them.

2. Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag.

3. Throw away the container in your trash at home.

4. Remove or delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or packaging, then throw away or recycle them.                                                                       

At this time, the FDA is not recommending special screenings for patients who have taken Belviq.  The FDA is also recommending that health care professionals stop prescribing and dispensing Belviq to patients, to contact patients currently taking Belviq and inform them of the increased occurrence of cancer seen in the clinical trial, and ask them to stop taking the medicine. 

Contact an Attorney

If you or a loved one have suffered serious side effects of Belviq or Belviq XR, including contracting cancer while using Belviq, you may be entitled to compensation. You need attorneys who understand the issues and have the experience to help you accurately assess your case options. Contact the Belviq lawyers of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. today for a free case evaluation. Our experienced  attorneys can answer any questions you may have about litigation, Belviq side effects, or a potential Belviq lawsuit.