A recent clinical trial showed the weight-loss drug Belviq (lorcaserin) was associated with an increased risk of cancer. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested a withdrawal of the weight-loss drug from the market. The trial reported several types of cancers, but a few more most common.
Cancer Risks Most Associated With Belviq
The following cancers occurred most often in those taking Belviq:
- Lung
- Pancreatic
- Colorectal
Although these were the most common cancers, they were not the only types. Patients received a variety of cancer diagnoses throughout the five-year trial.
Before approving Belviq, the FDA asked the drug manufacturer to run a clinical trial. The trial involved 12,000 patients over five years. Researchers gave some participants a placebo instead of an active drug.
The five-year trial ended in June 2018. The data showed that:
- 7.1% of patients taking the placebo developed cancer.
- 7.7% of patients taking Belviq developed cancer.
The data showed an additional cancer diagnosis for every 470 people on Belviq per year. The cancer risk association led the FDA to request the removal of Belviq.
The FDA has not recommended special cancer screening for patients who were taking Belviq. However, patients should stop taking the drug and talk to their doctors about alternatives.
What to Do if You Developed Cancer After Belviq
If you or a loved one received a cancer diagnosis after taking Belviq, you might have legal options. You may be entitled to compensation. Since the FDA released the trial data, patients have begun filing lawsuits.
Don’t wait to take action. If you have cancer and took Belviq, contact an experienced lawyer today. Although lung, pancreatic, and colorectal were most common in the trial, any cancer diagnosis might qualify.
Schedule a Free Belviq Case Consultation
John Foy & Associates is currently accepting cases from those who took Belviq. Contact us today, and we’ll let you know if you qualify. We’re here to listen to your concerns and help you seek justice.
We have more than 25 years of experience working on personal injury and product liability cases. Plus, working with us is risk-free. We do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
To get started with your FREE consultation, contact us online today.
Atlanta Roots, Nationwide Reach.
Distance is no obstacle. We work with clients across the country and make sure every one of them feels taken care of, no matter how far the call travels.
How Belviq Worked
Obese and overweight patients used Belviq/Belviq XR as a weight-loss drug. The patients had to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more or a BMI of 27 with other obesity-related health problems.
Belviq’s chemical name was lorcaserin. It had two forms:
- Belviq (tablet)
- Belviq XR (extended-release tablet)
The FDA approved Belviq for the U.S. market in 2012. The drug worked by increasing one’s feelings of fullness to promote less eating. Doctors used it as an add-on, alongside diet and exercise, for weight loss.
When the FDA approved the drug, they required the manufacturer to run the clinical trial. The trial was initially looking for any links to cardiovascular health. But an associated cancer risk became known after the trial concluded.
The FDA asked the manufacturer to voluntarily remove Belviq from the market on February 13, 2020.
Getting Legal Help in Your Belviq Case
If a doctor diagnosed you with cancer after you took Belviq, you might have a case. You may be entitled to compensation. Don’t wait to have a lawyer determine if you qualify.
Our lawyers can set you up with a FREE consultation. If you can, bring your medical records and dates when you took Belviq. We’ll look at the details, answer your questions, and see if you have a case.
If you qualify for a Belviq lawsuit, you may be entitled to damages like the following:
- Medical bills
- Cancer treatment costs
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
You should not have to pay for damages from a drug that was supposed to help you. Our attorneys can calculate your losses and help you build a strong case.
The statute of limitations for product liability cases is typically two years (Georgia Code § 9-3-33). The time is now to reach out and get started. Since the FDA announcement in early 2020, many people have come forward to seek justice. We can help you do the same.
Reporting Belviq (Lorcaserin) Side Effects
Besides contacting an attorney, you can also report your side effects to the FDA. The administration’s MedWatch program tracks safety issues with drugs on the market.
You can report your side effects on the FDA’s website contact page. This information helps keep track of helpful and harmful information on drugs like Belviq.
How We Can Help You Seek Justice
A weight-loss drug should improve your quality of life — not hinder it. Our law firm believes in justice for all victims. If you have cancer after taking Belviq, you have rights.
You should not have to pay for the physical, medical, and emotional costs of harm you did not cause. We can help you seek compensation in your Belviq lawsuit. Contact us today to find out if you qualify for a settlement.
If a loved one died of cancer after taking Belviq, you might have a wrongful death case. If you qualify, we can help you build a case on behalf of the lost loved one. There is no fee unless we win you compensation.
Discuss Your Legal Options With a Belviq Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve helped countless injury victims over the past 25-plus years. Your rights are our number one priority. That’s why we will not charge you unless we win you money.
Product liability cases like the Belviq case are complicated. You need a lawyer with the track record and representation to build a strong case. Our attorneys are ready to fight for you every step of the way.
Contact us today for a FREE, no-risk consultation. We’ll listen to your concerns, evaluate your situation, and discuss your options. Contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation today.
100% Confidential 
