Is Belviq Dangerous?

The manufacturer of the weight-loss drug Belviq withdrew the medication from the U.S. market in February 2020. The recall has led many users to wonder if Belviq is dangerous. Clinical trial findings show that there is cause for concern.

If you took Belviq before developing cancer, you might have a legal case. Our Belviq attorneys at John Foy & Associates can look at your details and determine your options. To get a FREE, no-risk consultation, call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.

The Dangers of Belviq

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Belviq (chemical name lorcaserin) for the market in 2012. A year later, Belviq became available as a prescription. But the FDA required the drug manufacturer to conduct a clinical trial.

• The trial followed about 12,000 participants over five years. It looked at any heart-related risks with the medication.
• One group took the Belviq drug. The other group took a placebo.
• After five years, 7.7% of the Belviq drug group developed cancer. (And 7.1% of the placebo group developed cancer.)

The trial showed various cancer diagnoses. However, the most frequent in the Belviq group were lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.

The increased cancer rate in the Belviq group was too much. The FDA decided the risks outweighed the benefits. In February 2020, the FDA asked Belviq’s manufacturer to request a withdrawal from the market.

Belviq is no longer available because of the potential dangers. If you or a loved one took the drug and developed cancer, reach out today. Our Belviq lawyers can see if you have a case. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get a FREE consultation.

Other Risks Associated With Belviq

Consumer Reports examined Belviq years before it came off the market. The site’s medical advisers did not approve of the medication.

According to the FDA label, typical side effects of Belviq included the following symptoms:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Low blood sugar (in those with diabetes)
• Back pain
• Cough

More severe side effects included Serotonin Syndrome, heart valve issues, mental problems (in high doses), depression or thoughts of suicide, painful erections, and more. Belviq was also risky to combine with some mental health medicines.

The more severe risks led the Drug Enforcement Agency to classify Belviq as a Schedule IV controlled substance. The drug might have a small risk of addiction.

The FDA first rejected Belviq because animal studies showed a risk of tumors. The study results caused delayed approval. Plus, Belviq was not approved as safe in Europe. The European manufacturer removed it from the market.

How Belviq Was Used and Prescribed

The FDA approved Belviq for:

• Obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more.
• Overweight patients (BMI between 27 and 30) with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

Doctors would prescribe Belviq to help patients lose weight along with diet and exercise. Belviq worked by increasing feelings of fullness to control appetite. However, many experts did not approve of a weight-loss drug over safer methods like eating well and exercising.

Belviq was available in two forms: Belviq and Belviq XR (extended-release).

What to Do if You Took Belviq

The FDA has advised all patients to stop taking Belviq. Healthcare providers should also stop prescribing and providing Belviq to patients.

If you still have Belviq pills, take them to a drug disposal site in your area. If you can’t do that, you can dispose of them at home by taking the following steps:

• Mix the pills with a non-appealing substance like cat litter or coffee grounds.
• Put the mixture in a sealed plastic bag or similar container.
• Remove all personal information from the drug’s label.
• Throw the bag into your home trash.

The FDA did not recommend additional cancer screening for those who took Belviq. However, if you developed cancer, you might have legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages.

Be sure to talk to an experienced Belviq lawyer as soon as you can. A lawyer can determine if you have a case. You should not have to pay for any costs you suffered that were not your fault.

Your Belviq Cancer Costs

Patients who took Belviq have started contacting lawyers about filing lawsuits. At John Foy & Associates, we are here to help you.

A cancer diagnosis is devastating enough. It’s even more stressful finding out a medication was the potential cause. If you have a case, you might be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills.
• Cancer treatment.
• Lost wages.
• Lost earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Mental anguish.

We know cancer is a severe condition, and we are not taking this situation lightly. If you developed cancer after you took Belviq, it’s essential to know your options.

If you lost a loved one from cancer after taking Belviq, you might have a wrongful death case. Contact a trusted lawyer right away to know if you have a case.

How Much Does a Belviq Lawyer Cost?

You should not have to worry about legal fees during this stressful time. That’s why we work purely on contingency: We do not get paid unless you do.

If you work with us:

• There are no upfront or out-of-pocket costs.
• We only get paid if we win you a settlement or trial verdict.
• After winning, the legal fee comes straight from your winnings — and you keep the rest.

Plus, the consultation is always 100% FREE. Come with your medical records and timeline for when you took Belviq. We’ll discuss the details and your legal options.

How to Speak With an Experienced Belviq Lawyer for Free

Call us at (404) 400-4000, or fill out our online form, to get started today. At John Foy & Associates, we bring over 20 years of experience to the table. We are not afraid to fight for your rights and the recovery you deserve.

Our attorneys will listen with compassion and kindness. We’re here to make things easier for you and uphold your rights. To get started with your FREE case evaluation today, call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.