Serious health and safety concerns have been raised about Belviq, a drug once deemed effective for weight loss.

Although Belviq manufacturer Eisai Inc. voluntarily pulled the drug from the market in early 2020 over its side effects, the recall may not have come soon enough. After the drug was widely used for eight years, clinical studies revealed patients who took the drug long term may be at an increased risk of cancer, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Belviq Cancer Link

The FDA has issued an alert that Belviq and Belviq XR — also known by the generic name lorcaserin — may be associated with the risk of several types of cancer, including lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer, according to WebMD.

The warning was issued after a clinical trial showed higher rates of cancer in those who took lorcaserin, as opposed to those who took the placebo, according to the FDA.

The clinical trial, conducted over five years in 12,000 patients to evaluate potential cardiovascular issues, didn’t indicate any significant difference in these conditions between the two groups.

However, the study revealed the 462 patients treated with the drug developed 520 cancers, compared with 423 patients in the placebo group diagnosed with 470 cancer conditions.

What Should You Do If You Took Belviq?

Following the Belviq recall, the FDA advised that patients taking Belviq should discontinue use and discard any unused drugs immediately. The agency has also notified doctors that they should stop prescribing it.

Those who were taking Belviq for obesity should discuss alternatives with health care professionals.

It’s critical that consumers who became ill due to taking a medication such as Belviq seek medical attention.

They should also be sure to keep a copy of all medical records, which will be important evidence in a potential Belviq lawsuit. A Belviq lawyer will carefully review these records in determining whether there is a link between the drug and the patient’s cancer diagnosis — and to prove their Belviq lawsuit.

How Can a Belviq Lawyer Help?

When drug manufacturers such as Eisai put a medication like Belviq on the market, they have a duty to ensure it is safe. They also have a duty to warn consumers about known risks or side effects that may be associated with the drug.

A drug manufacturer that fails to take necessary safety measures — or knew its product was harmful — may be held liable for negligence in a lawsuit for the injury it directly caused a consumer.

However, navigating the complexities of a legal action can be challenging, and a Belviq lawyer will know how to file the Belviq lawsuit and protect a consumer’s rights.

A Belviq lawyer can also help to obtain the compensation you deserve for the physical harm that you may have suffered due to taking Belviq.

If you developed cancer as a result of your use of Belviq or Belviq XR, you may be entitled to compensation for economic damages you incurred due to unreimbursed medical bills, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and time lost from work — as well as non-economic damages for your pain and suffering — in a personal injury action.

You might also be able to recover in a wrongful death action if you lost a loved one due to an illness in connection with Belviq.

Additionally, you may be eligible to file or join a Belviq class action lawsuit with other patients who have also experienced similar harm from taking the drug.

If you took Belviq and later developed cancer, you may be wondering whether you have a case.

It’s best to speak with a Belviq attorney who can discuss your specific situation and advise you concerning your legal rights and remedies. You can find a Belviq lawyer through Top Class Actions by filling out the form on this page.