Eisai Inc. has agreed to withdraw its weight-loss drugs Belviq and Belviq XR (lorcaserin) at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA announced the request on February 13, after a safety clinical trial of found an increased occurrence of cancer in Belviq users. There were several types of cancer found, including colorectal, lung and pancreatic. If you have developed cancer after using Belviq, talk to an experienced drug injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights.
What is Belviq?
Belviq is an oral weight-loss drug for people who are overweight or obese and have at least one weight-related health condition. It controls appetite by activating brain receptors for serotonin. Serotonin triggers feeling of satiety and satisfaction. The drug is meant to be used in combination with diet and exercise, and helps users feel full with smaller meals.
Safety Trial for Cardiovascular Risks
The safety trial was not expected to find a cancer risk. Belviq was approved by the FDA in 2012. At the time, it required Eisai to conduct a clinical trial to look at the risk of cardiovascular problems when taking the drug. What was found was an increased rate of several types of cancer. The FDA first alerted the public to the possible cancer risk in January 2020, based on its preliminary analysis of the clinical trial data. The five-year trial involved more than 12,000 patients.
Belviq Withdrawal
The FDA says that there was an increased occurrence of a range of cancers:
- Colorectal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
According to the agency, “”There was no apparent difference in the incidence of cancer over the initial months of treatment, but the imbalance increased with longer duration on lorcaserin.”
On February 13, the FDA requested that Eisai voluntarily withdraw Belviq. Eisai says it will voluntarily withdraw the drug from the U.S. market and discontinue sales, even though it still believes that the drug has a positive risk-benefit profile.
People who are taking Belviq are advised to discontinue use and talk to their doctors about an alternative weight-loss solution which may include a different medication. The FDA is not recommending special cancer screening for Belviq users.
If you have developed colon, rectal, pancreatic or lung cancer after taking Belviq, please talk to an experienced drug injury attorney right away.
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