Using weight loss drugs—or any medication—is always a calculated risk, with a major deciding factor being any side effects associated with the drug. Like any drug, there are a number Belviq side effects, but studies have shown additional complications that may be more serious than patients were previously aware of.

Indeed, patients may have taken this drug unaware that one of the potential Belviq side effects they faced while taking the drug was an increased risk of several kinds of Belviq cancer.

What is Belviq?

Belviq is a weight loss drug, also known by its generic name, lorcaserin, and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in 2012. Lorcaserin is manufactured by Eisai Inc., though it was originally developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals.

Belviq is intended to be used as an adjunct weight loss therapy—that is, an add-on therapy to other approaches, including a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The use of Belviq has been approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30, as well as in certain adults with a BMI of 27 or higher who also suffer from a weight-related condition that may increase cardiovascular risk, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Type 2 diabetes.

It is important to remember that Belviq is meant as a treatment for obesity itself, not for any underlying conditions that may have caused or contributed to obesity.

Belviq Side Effects

Like any drug, there are certain Belviq side effects to be aware of. Mild Belviq side effects include, but are not limited to:

• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Tiredness

More serious Belviq side effects may include:

• Easy bleeding/bruising
• Enlarged breasts
• Mental/mood changes
• Suicidal thoughts
• Low blood sugar

Unfortunately, in the years since it was first introduced to the market, a safety clinical trial has shown a link between Belviq and an increased risk of developing certain forms of cancer, including lung, colon, and pancreatic.

The trial looked at around 12,000 patients over the course of 5 years in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial intended to look for potential cardiovascular risks of the drug. However, the trial ended up finding another risk entirely: 7.7% of Belviq patients in the trial were diagnosed with cancer, compared with only 7.1% of the patients in the placebo group.

The longer patients took lorcaserin, the greater the imbalance of incidences of cancer.

According to CNN, after the trial, Eisai announced earlier this year that it would withdraw Belviq from the market, and asked people to stop taking the drug. This move was prompted in part by an FDA request to voluntarily withdraw the drug.

The “potential risk of cancer associated with the drug outweighs the benefit of treatment,” said Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a statement.

Eisai agreed to withdraw the drug, but says it has a different interpretation of the trial’s data, and maintains that the drug has a positive benefit-risk profile.

“Eisai respects the FDA’s decision and is working closely with the Agency on the withdrawal process,” the company told CNN.

Belviq’s initial FDA approval took several tries to go through, with some FDA approval committee members citing safety concerns and others viewing the drug as not particularly effective.

The trial that ended up showing an increased cancer risk associated with Belviq was part of the condition for the FDA’s approval of lorcaserin in 2012.

Filing a Belviq Side Effects Lawsuit

Patients who have taken Belviq and have since developed cancer—especially lung cancer, colon cancer, or pancreatic cancer—may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, to hold them accountable. Lawsuits may allege that the company failed to fully and completely research the potentially serious Belviq side effects before bringing it to the market, failing to realize the cancer risk, or for failing to warn consumers about the risks.

If you or someone you love took the weight loss drug Belviq and have since developed an associated cancer, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a cancer diagnosis, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially while also dealing with a cancer diagnosis, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.