If you have been diagnosed with cancer after taking Belviq or Belviq XR, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
Belviq / Belviq XR
CONSULTATION FORM
What is Belviq and Belviq XR?
Lorcaserin, marketed as Belviq and Belviq XR (extended release), is a prescription drug used for weight control―along with diet and exercise. It has been taken off the market because it has been found to increase the occurrence of certain cancers people who take it.
What Cancers Increased In People?
The types of cancers which increased among lorcaserin users include:
- Colorectal cancer.
- Lung cancer.
- Pancreatic cancer.
These cancers can be lethal. People who have been diagnosed while in the early stages of these cancers have a higher survival rate than when diagnosed in later stages. This is because cancers in the early stages are often located in one area of the body (localized) and have not spread to other areas of the body (metastasized).
How Does Belviq Work?
Belviq and Belviq XR (lorcaserin) are appetite suppressants, meant to give you a “full feeling” when you eat, so that you eat less.
The drugs were prescribed for adults who were overweight or obese and also had been diagnosed with another serious illness.
Belviq has been prescribed for weight management since 2012, in the United States. Lorcaserin does not have U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use in children.
Why Was Belviq Taken Off The Market?
In January 2020, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication regarding lorcaserin, in which they stated that they were evaluating clinical trial results of the drug.
By February 2020, the FDA requested Eisai Inc., the manufacturer of Belviq and Belviq XR, to voluntarily remove the drug from the market because “the risks of lorcaserin outweigh its benefits based on our completed review of results from a randomized clinical trial assessing safety.”
A removal of a drug from the market is not the same as a recall; it is far more serious.
A recall is an action, by the FDA or the manufacturer of a drug, which can be taken at any time. Recalls are for handling a defective drug which may be corrected in some way or a mechanism for releasing an enhancement of the drug. It is also a step taken when there are violations of standards or regulations.
Removal means to withdraw a drug from the market so that it is unavailable to both doctors and their patients. While a recall may be temporary, removal is permanent.
Removal is an unusually strong step which is not often requested by the FDA, unless there are serious safety concerns. In this case, the FDA felt the potential threat of cancer to users of the drug justified taking this action.
What Did The Clinical Study Show?
The FDA first approved Belviq in 2012 and Belviq XR in 2016. When Belviq was approved, the FDA required the manufacturer to conduct a post-marketing trial of the drug to evaluate any cardiovascular problems in connection with taking the medication because lorcaserin is a diet pill. Recently, other diet pills have been associated with health problems.
The FDA reports that clinical trial was conducted over a 5 year period, from January 2014 to June 2018, with 12,000 participants. Participants were from the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
According to the FDA, participants were required to have cardiovascular disease, be at least 50 years of age for men and 55 years of age for women, and have at least one other cardiovascular risk factor such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Participants took the normally prescribed dose of 10 mg. of lorcaserin twice a day or a non-therapeutic treatment, a placebo.
While the study showed little difference between participants who took lorcaserin and those who took the placebo, in terms of cardiovascular events, the participants who took lorcaserin received a cancer diagnoses at a significantly higher rate than those who took the placebo.
During the trial, 7.7 percent of participants who were administered the lorcaserin were subsequently diagnosed with cancer as compared with a 7.1 percent diagnoses rate among participants who got a placebo. This difference was significant, especially considering the fact that the imbalance in cancer rates increased with long-term exposure to lorcaserin.
Should I Stop Taking Belviq And Belviq XR?
The FDA advises consumers to stop taking Belviq and Belviq XR. Consumers should contact their doctors regarding other weight-loss drugs and weight-loss management options.
What Should I Do With Unused Belviq And Belviq XR?
The FDA suggests that it is best to dispose of any unused lorcaserin through a drug take back location. If that is not possible, then you should remove all personal information from labels. Next, without crushing the pills, mix them with dirt, used coffee, or cat litter. Place this mixture in a sealed container, which may then be disposed of in your trash at home.
Who Qualifies For A Potential Lawsuit?
If you took Belviq and believe you are at risk to develop cancer, you should contact your physician with any questions you may have.
If you are an adult who took Belviq or Belviq XR and were diagnosed with pancreatic, colorectal, or lung cancer, you may want to consider suing the manufacturer to gain compensation for your injuries.
What Can I Recover From a Belviq Lawsuit?
You may be entitled to monetary damages. This compensation can cover such things as:
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Past and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
Big pharmaceutical companies make billions of dollars on drugs each year. Big Pharma should and can be held legally accountable for the harm their drugs do to the people who take them.
Your best chance for compensation is to work with a knowledgeable and experienced law firm that can stand up to Big Pharma on your behalf.
What Do I Do If I’ve Been Affected?
You may be entitled to monetary damages. This compensation can cover such things as:
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Past and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
Big pharmaceutical companies make billions of dollars on drugs each year. Big Pharma should and can be held legally accountable for the harm their drugs do to the people who take them.
Your best chance for compensation is to work with a knowledgeable and experienced law firm that can stand up to Big Pharma on your behalf.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
Pharmaceutical companies have virtually endless resources to spend on legal defense. Sanofi, for example, has annual revenue of nearly $40 billion. To have the best chance at being fairly compensated, you should work with a law firm that has the experience and resources needed to stand up to Big Pharma.
If you were diagnosed with cancer after using Belviq or Belviq XR, our attorneys can evaluate your case and explain your legal options. As we continue our investigation into this claim, we encourage you to contact us for a free legal consultation.