Sage Datko  |  July 6, 2021

Category: Legal News

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Weight loss patients have registered Belviq complaints.

Although Belviq has been touted as an effective drug for weight loss and weight management, some patients who have taken the medication claim that the side effects of Belviq outweigh the benefits.

What Is Belviq?

Belviq is the brand name for lorcaserin, a medication that is used to help promote weight loss. The drug is manufactured by Eisai Inc, and was approved by the FDA in 2012. Belviq works by activating a type of serotonin receptor located in the hypothalamus and affecting the way the brain interprets chemical signals related to appetite. The drug may make people feel full faster, after eating smaller meals. With consistent, prolonged use, Belviq may help people who are obese or overweight to reach a healthier weight.

Belviq is intended to be used in combination with diet and exercise. However, although the drug may help patients to treat their obesity, Belviq cannot treat weight-related conditions including heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. Losing weight in and of itself may help some patients manage these conditions.

Belviq was withdrawn from the market in early 2020 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a safety announcement regarding the medication and a potentially increased likelihood of developing cancer. In addition to the recall, some consumers have also posted Belviq complaints online or filed lawsuits against the manufacturer.

Weight loss patients have registered Belviq complaints.What Led to the Belviq Recall?

According to the safety communication released by the FDA in February 2020, a clinical trial indicated a link between Belviq and cancer. The clinical trial involved approximately 12,000 patients who were studied over the course of five years. Some patients involved with the study were given the real drug and some patients were given a placebo. The initial purpose of the clinical trial was to determine the risk of cardiovascular side effects associated with Belviq.

After the results of the study were interpreted, it was discovered that almost 8% of the patients who had been given Belviq rather than the placebo had been diagnosed with cancer. For patients who had been given the placebo, the incidence rate of cancer was barely more than 7%.

This increased risk of cancer was of concern to researchers, and led to the FDA’s request that Eisai Inc. voluntarily remove the medication from the market.

The cancers that were found to be potentially linked with usage of Belviq included lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers. These cancers are all serious and may be life threatening in some cases unless they are diagnosed and treated quickly. The five year survival rate for colon cancer is approximately 90%. However, for pancreatic cancer, the five year survival rate is less than 40%.

What Belviq Complaints Have Patients Made?

In addition to the potentially increased risk of cancer, patients have also reported other weight loss pills side effects. According to reports from patients who have taken the drug, common side effects may include dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, headache, fatigue, or nausea.

The drug may also cause serious side effects including depression, changes in heart rate, shortness of breath, or mental or mood changes. In 2021, more potential Belviq side effects emerged when a study revealed that the weight loss drug could increase the addictive nature of opioids.

Are You Entitled to a Belviq Recall Refund?

Belviq is generally not covered by health insurance policies, and can be very expensive. The pills may cost upwards of $300 a month. Patients who have ceased taking the weight loss drug due to the cancer risk Belviq complaints may be wondering if they are eligible to pursue reimbursement.

If you have taken Belviq for weight loss and have suffered from side effects such as cancer, you may be able to speak with an experienced attorney about the details of your case. Some victims of Belviq side effects may be eligible to join or file a class action lawsuit and pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and injuries, as well as potential reimbursement for the cost of the medication.

At least one woman has already filed a Belviq complaints lawsuit. Plaintiff Barbara Z. of New York filed her lawsuit against Eisai Inc. in March 2020. According to Barbara’s lawsuit, the manufacturer may have known about the potential health hazards of Belviq even before the drug was introduced to the market. Although Barbara does not clarify whether she developed cancer after taking the drug, she is seeking to have her case certified as a class action lawsuit so that anyone who was harmed after taking Belviq may be able to pursue compensation.

If you experienced Belviq side effects including cancer, you may be eligible to take action. Speak with an experienced Belviq lawyer today to see if you could recover compensation for medical expenses and more.

Join a Belviq Cancer Lawsuit Investigation

If you took Belviq and developed cancer, you may be able to join a Belviq cancer class action lawsuit investigation. 

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Join A Belviq Cancer Side Effects Lawsuit Investigation

If you qualify, an attorney will contact you to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

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