Belviq is a weight-loss drug that got pulled from the market in February 2020. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised all Belviq users to stop taking the medication. If you were taking Belviq, do you have to worry about withdrawal symptoms?
Immediately stopping Belviq does not seem to be dangerous, but some withdrawal side effects are possible. Read below to learn more.
If you developed cancer after taking Belviq, you might have a legal case. Talk to one of our Belviq lawyers at John Foy & Associates to know your options. For a FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Belviq Withdrawal Symptoms
According to American Addiction Centers, withdrawal is a sign of dependence. If your body has become addicted to something and you remove it, you will have withdrawal symptoms. If you have withdrawal signs, it means your body has become dependent on Belviq in some way.
Belviq’s FDA label states that there was not enough research on physical dependence on the drug. Belviq could cause hallucinations and extreme happiness at high doses, however, resulting in mental dependence.
Belviq’s label also showed that mental disorders “leading to hospitalization or drug withdrawal” happened more often in patients taking Belviq instead of a placebo. If you have withdrawal symptoms, the data shows they’re more likely to be emotional.
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Diet Pill Withdrawal
Belviq is a type of prescription weight-loss pill. Some people find themselves physically or mentally addicted to diet pills. When they stop taking the medication, they can have withdrawal symptoms.
If someone has diet pill withdrawal symptoms, the effects might start six to 36 hours after the last pill. Symptoms can include the following:
- Depression
- Low mood
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Cravings
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Irritability
Diet pill withdrawal usually worsens over the first few days. In the first week of not taking the pills, symptoms are often strongest. By week two, physical and mental symptoms tend to decrease.
Some people might have severe withdrawal symptoms. Although acute withdrawal seems unlikely for Belviq, talk to your doctor if you’re worried.
Side Effects of Belviq
You are more likely to have had side effects while taking Belviq than withdrawal symptoms after you stop. Common side effects while on the drug include:
- Headache.
- Fatigue.
- Dry mouth.
- Dizziness.
- Cough.
- Constipation.
- Back pain.
- Nausea.
- Low blood sugar (in diabetes patients).
More severe side effects can include:
- Serotonin Syndrome (if combined with certain other medications).
- Heart valve issues.
- Mental problems.
- Attention issues.
- Depression or suicidal thoughts.
- Painful erections.
- Slow heartbeat.
- Decreased blood cell count.
- Increased prolactin.
The most concerning effect of Belviq, though, is an association with cancer risk. Study results led the FDA to remove Belviq from the market.
Why Belviq Is No Longer Available
When the FDA approved Belviq in 2012, they required the manufacturer to run a clinical trial. The trial involved about 12,000 people and happened over five years. The focus of the study was heart-related issues, but the results showed another issue.
Clinical Trials Found Belviq Cancer Link
The study showed 7.7% of patients taking Belviq developed cancer. In comparison, 7.1% of patients on the placebo developed cancer. The FDA determined that the risk was too significant to keep Belviq on the market.
In February 2020, the FDA asked the manufacturer to withdraw Belviq voluntarily. The manufacturer agreed to submit a request to remove the drug.
More Details About Belviq/Belviq XR
Belviq’s generic name is lorcaserin hydrochloride. It’s a weight-loss medication for:
- Obese patients (with a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or higher).
- Overweight patients (BMI of 27 or higher) with at least one weight-related condition.
Doctors prescribed Belviq and Belviq XR (the extended-release version) as add-on treatments combined with diet and exercise. The drug worked by increasing feelings of fullness.
Unfortunately, Belviq did not show significant benefits for weight loss. Early studies also showed increased tumors in rats and heart-related concerns for humans. When the FDA asked for the clinical trial, Belviq was already on the market for consumers.
What to Do if You Were Taking Belviq
If you have taken Belviq, you should stop the medication based on FDA guidelines. Talk to your doctor about alternatives to the drug.
Dispose of any medication you still have. You can take it to a drug take-back site or follow the FDA’s drug disposal guide.
If a doctor diagnosed you with cancer, contact a Belviq lawyer right away. You might be entitled to compensation for your costs. A lawyer can determine if you have a case.
What You Might Recover in a Belviq Lawsuit
You should not have to bear the costs of a cancer diagnosis caused by negligence. When a drug has dangerous unintended side effects, it’s a product liability concern. You might be able to file a lawsuit for compensation.
A lawyer can help you fight for money to pay for:
- Medical bills.
- Cancer treatment.
- Lost wages.
- Lost earning capacity.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional pain and suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
If a loved one died from cancer after taking Belviq, you might have a wrongful death case. To know your options, contact an experienced Belviq lawyer today. These types of cases are complicated, but you deserve compensation for what you’ve suffered.
Don’t wait to reach out for the help you deserve. The statute of limitations in Georgia is typically two years from the date of an injury. If you live in a different state, the timeline might be more or less.
If you miss the deadline to file, you might not be able to get anything at all. Before it’s too late, contact a lawyer for a free consultation. You can learn about your legal options and decide what’s best for you.
Get a Free Consultation With a Belviq Lawyer Today
At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping injury victims for over 20 years. We know what it takes to handle large and complicated cases like a Belviq lawsuit. We do not charge a fee unless we win your case, so there is no risk for you.
To get a FREE, no-risk consultation, call us at (404) 400-4000, or contact us online today.
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