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Popular weight loss drug Belviq was taken off the market after a clinical trial found its side effects may include an increased cancer risk. Also known by its generic name, lorcaserin, the medication was commonly prescribed to treat obesity and related medical problems.
However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised doctors in 2020 to immediately stop prescribing Belviq and warned patients to discard any unused drugs.
When Was Belviq Recalled?
In January 2020, the FDA issued a drug safety communication alerting the public to the possible cancer risks associated with Belviq and alerted both doctors and patients of an ongoing evaluation.
At the FDA’s request, the Japan-based Belviq manufacturer Eisai Inc. voluntarily withdrew Belviq and Belviq XR from the U.S. market shortly thereafter, in February 2020.
Why Was Belviq Recalled?
Patients who took Belviq and experienced their desired weight loss results may wonder why Belviq was taken off the market.
After a clinical trial showed those who took the Belviq weight loss pill were more likely to develop cancer than those in a placebo group, the FDA issued a statement saying that “the potential risk of cancer associated with the drug outweighs the benefit of treatment.”
Those who participated in the clinical trials reported later diagnoses pancreatic, lung, and colon cancer, according to the FDA.
Belviq also announced the recall on its website, at the same time disputing the “interpretation” of the data in the FDA’s warning, claiming that the drugs continue to have a “positive benefit-risk profile.” Despite the disagreement, Belviq issued their voluntary recall and noted it was working closely with the agency to withdraw the drug.
Notably, the Belviq FDA recall is not the first time the drug has faced controversy since coming on the market. A clinical review completed in 2012 noted it had been determined the drug could cause cancer in rats.
What Did the FDA Find?
After the FDA approved Belviq in 2012, clinical studies were conducted to determine whether the drug caused any adverse cardiovascular side effects.
While initial clinical trials showed those who took the pill experienced more weight loss than those who were administered a placebo, it also showed comparable rates of cardiovascular events.
The 12,000 individuals who participated in the clinical trials were followed over the course of five years. Those who took Belviq were more likely to develop cancer than those who took the placebo.
Can You Get a Belviq Recall Refund?
As Belviq is an expensive medication, patients may be able to recover compensation and reimbursement for the cost of the drug. A month’s supply of Belviq costs approximately $300 and was not covered by most insurance providers, per Finger Lakes 1. Patients who took the drug for months or years may be able to recover some of their out-of-pocket costs by speaking with an experienced attorney about their legal rights and filing a class action lawsuit.
At this time there are no known Belviq recall refunds or class action rebates for the diet drug. At least one class action lawsuit has been filed, accusing Belviq’s manufacturer of breach of implied warranty, deceptive acts, and false advertising.
How Should Patients and Health Professionals Respond?
In accordance with the Belviq FDA warning, the agency recommends anyone taking Belviq immediately stop and discard any remaining medication. The FDA advises the safest way to dispose of Belviq is to bring any unused medication to a drug take back location.
For those who don’t live near a drug take back location, the FDA advises disposing of the pills without crushing them and placing them in a sealed bag or container mixed with dirt, cat litter, or coffee grounds. Before throwing away any packaging, the FDA recommends removing any personal information on the labels.
Patients and healthcare professionals should discuss safe weight loss alternatives, such as different medications or management programs. Other weight loss medications still on the market include Fen-Phen and Meridia.
While the FDA doesn’t recommend specific cancer screenings for those who were prescribed Belviq or lorcaserin, the agency advises healthcare professionals to discontinue prescribing the drug and continue standard cancer screenings.
How Can You Report Belviq Side Effects?
In addition to the increased risk of various cancers, Belviq may be associated with a number of other side effects, ranging from mild to severe.
According to WebMD, potential Belviq side effects may include:
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Low blood sugar
- Cough
- Throat irritation
WebMD also indicates that although infrequent or rare, more severe Belviq side effects may include depression, high blood pressure, and even hallucinations.
For those who took Belviq and suffered any adverse side effects or developed cancer, the FDA has a voluntary MedWatch program for patients and doctors to voluntarily report problems and side effects from prescription drugs and other medical products.
According to the MedWatch website, voluntary reports can be submitted through an online portal or in paper format by mail or fax.
Patients should report any Belviq side effects to their treating healthcare providers.
Additionally, if you’ve suffered Belviq side effects or developed cancer related to using the diet pills, you may be able to join a class action lawsuit. The first step would be discussing your legal rights and remedies with an experienced class action lawsuit attorney.
Have Any Belviq Lawsuits Been Filed?
Some Belviq lawsuits have already been filed against the manufacturers of Belviq over alleged negative side effects associated with the drug.
Plaintiff Barbara Z. claims Eisai Inc. may have known for years about the potential for the medication to cause cancer. According to Barbara, the drugmaker may have withheld this information from patients and doctors in order to continue profiting off the expensive drug. Barbara’s lawsuit cites a 2007 lab study linking Belviq to various types of cancer.
Another lawsuit, filed by plaintiffs Stephanie and Robert F., alleges that Belviq was defectively designed, and that the manufacturers represented Belviq as safe even though they knew of serious risks associated with the drug, according to Drugwatch. The plaintiffs’ manufacturing defect and breach of warranty claims were dismissed by the court, but their design defect claim will continue on in the Eastern District of Louisiana.
If the company was aware of the potential for negative health side effects as early as 2007, thousands of patients may have been unnecessarily exposed to the medication over the next decade, until the Belviq recall. Barbara is seeking compensation for herself as well as other patients who may have been harmed by the drug and claims that Eisai Inc. engaged in fraud, false advertising, and deceptive acts.
If you were diagnosed with cancer after taking Belviq, you may be eligible to take legal action. An experienced legal professional can review your case to check if you’re eligible to recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and more.
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