According to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), after five years of research, Belviq and Belviq XR have been found to increase the risk of cancer in those who take the medication. In response to this discovery, the administration has pulled all Belviq and lorcaserin products from the U.S. market as of February.
Cancers Associated with Belviq
Types of cancer that have been found to be related to the use of Belviq include:
- Colon Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
Types of cancer that may be related to the use of Belviq include:
- Breast Cancer
- Brain Cancer
Belviq works by changing the chemical signals of the brain that are responsible for appetite, increasing the consumer’s feeling of fullness, and thereby helping them to eat less and lose more.
Belviq is prescribed mostly for overweight (with a BMI between 27 and 30) and obese adults (with a BMI of 30 or more) as well as those who suffer from medical problems (such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure) due to their weight. However, while it is prescribed to those with underlying medical conditions due to their weight, it does not actually treat those underlying conditions.
Side Effects and Complications of Belviq
Side effects of Belviq include:
- Constipation/Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry Mouth
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Mental Difficulties
- Nausea
- Rashes
- Upper Respiratory Infections
Those with diabetes who take lorcaserin may also experience:
- Back Pain
- Coughing
- Heart Valve Issues
- Hypoglycemia
- Slowed Heartbeat
The FDA originally required Eisai Inc., Belviq’s Tokyo-based drug manufacturer, to conduct a clinical trial to study potential heart-related health problems associated with the drug. But while no heart problems were discovered in a study of 12,000 participants, those taking Belviq had a higher cancer diagnosis rate than participants who took a placebo (7.7 percent compared to 7.1 percent).
As a result, the FDA is recommending that those who are taking Belviq (lorcaserin) stop immediately and talk to their physician or health care provider about other weight loss options and methods.
If you or a loved one has developed cancer after taking a prescription of Belviq, you should contact a Defective Drug attorney as soon as possible, as you may be entitled to financial compensation.
We examine the facts of your case individually and will walk you through each step of the legal process. Call Caddell Reynolds today at 800-671-4100 for a FREE Legal Consultation. There’s no fee unless you win.