Recent statements by the FDA indicate that weight loss drug Belviq puts consumers at a heightened risk of pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancer. The FDA’s conclusions lead Belviq manufacturer Eisai to issue a voluntary recall of the drug in February. Belviq’s recall leaves many patients fearful and uncertain of the future as more research is conducted on Belviq’s cancer risks.
What is Belviq?
Belviq is the trade name for the drug lorcaserin, which was originally approved for consumers in 2012. Belviq is a weight-loss drug commonly prescribed to help patients with chronic weight management problems. The drug increases the body’s serontonin output, which sends signals of fullness to the brain. This helps patients to manage ther appetites, eat less, and lose weight over time.
How is Belviq linked to cancer risks?
In February 2020, the FDA requested a recall of Belviq, citing a five-year, 12,000-patient study in which patients who took Belviq demonstrated a higher likelihood of developing certain types of cancer. The study showed a statistically significant increase in cancer development among Belviq patients, as compared to the study’s placebo group.
It is not yet known why Belviq, or lorcaserin, is linked with heightened cancer risks. Eisai was initially resistant to pull Belviq from the market, arguing that the cancer risk was “slight”. After urging from the FDA, however, the manufacturer complied with the agency’s request for a voluntary recall.
According to a recent Time article, the FDA recommends that patients cease taking Belviq immediately, dispose of any leftover pills, and contact their doctor for further advice. The FDA also urged doctors to notify any patients currently taking Belviq.
I have been diagnosed with cancer after taking Belviq. What do I do?
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer after taking Belviq, call the experienced defective drug attorneys at the office of David Randolph Smith for a free consultation on your potential Belviq case.
