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In January 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a drug safety alert announcing a potential link between the weight loss drug, Belviq (lorcaserin), and increased risk for cancer. The extended-release form of Belviq, Belviq XR, is also implicated.
Belviq, the brand name for generic lorcaserin, is a serotonin receptor agonist that is primarily used for weight loss, targeting chemicals in the brain that influence appetite. Belviq was first FDA-approved for consumer use in 2012, manufactured by New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company, Eisai Inc.
The FDA released a follow-up announcement in February 2020 issuing an official request for Eisai Inc to voluntarily recall their Belviq and Belviq XR drugs. The pharmaceutical company complied.
However, recalling these drugs does not reverse the potential harm caused to people who have taken Belviq or Belviq XR. People who haven taken Belviq or Belviq XR are beginning to file dangerous drug claims against the Belviq manufacturer, Eisai, for failing to warn doctors and consumers about serious health risks associated with use of their drugs.
If you or a loved one has taken Belviq/Belviq XR and developed serious health problems or suffered wrongful death—you may be eligible to sue the manufacturer of Belviq for compensation.
Belviq (Lorcaserin) And Cancer: Does Belviq Cause Cancer?
When Belviq was first approved for use in 2012, the FDA required the pharmaceutical company that created Belviq to conduct a thorough, five-year study to evaluate any potential health risks of their drugs.
Through an analysis of these research findings, the FDA discovered an increased risk for cancer among people who had taken the drug. The primary concern in conducting this study was to evaluate cardiovascular effects of Belviq, as many weight loss drugs are known to have negative side effects on the heart.
The FDA has not yet concluded whether Belviq can directly cause cancer, but compared to individuals who had not taken Belviq, those who did had a higher risk of developing cancer. An investigation by the FDA is currently underway into what it is about Belviq/Belviq XR that might increase the risk of developing cancer.
In one of their recent statements on Belviq side effects, the FDA stated that “the risks of lorcaserin outweigh its benefits,” with the primary risk concerning consumer safety being an increased risk for various types of cancer.
Side Effects Of Belviq (Lorcaserin)
Taking Belviq or Belviq XR for weight loss can lead to several physical and psychological side effects, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
These side effects can be mild, moderate, or severe in nature. Those who have taken Belviq/Belviq XR and are considering taking legal action against the drug’s manufacturer may benefit from being aware of these mild to severe side effects.
Common side effects of taking Belviq include:
- headache
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- constipation
- toothache
- anxiety
- cough
- blurred vision
- pain in the back or muscles
- fatigue
- difficulty falling or staying asleep
Other known serious side effects that may require medical attention:
- confusion
- hallucinations
- difficulty breathing
- feeling high or unusually happy
- swelling in the arms, feet, or legs
- muscle spasms or twitching muscles
- fever
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- having thoughts of harming yourself or planning to do so
- dissociation
- enlarged breasts in males
- difficulty paying attention or remembering information
Some side effects of Belviq can be life-threatening. Talk to your doctor if you or a loved one has experienced severe side effects after taking Belviq or Belviq XR.
Belviq And Belviq XR Recalls And Lawsuits: What To Know
Belviq and Belviq XR have been voluntarily recalled by the drugs’ primary manufacturer, as of February 2020. This recall has garnered the attention of experienced dangerous drug attorneys across the nation, including the attorneys of Florin|Roebig.
If you or a loved one has taken Belviq/Belviq XR for weight management, here is the most important information to know about the Belviq recall and the status of Belviq cancer lawsuits.
When Were Belviq And Belviq XR Recalled?
The FDA officially requested drug recalls for Belviq and Belviq XR in February 2020, following an initial alert of a link between Belviq and cancer released the previous month.
The manufacturer of Belviq and Belviq XR, Eisai, has not conceded that there is a direct link between taking their drugs and developing cancer. However, the company voluntarily complied with the FDA’s drug recall request, stating they wished to prioritize patient safety and continue working with the FDA to evaluate data on potential health risks of taking Belviq.
Types Of Cancer Linked To Belviq And Belviq XR
A five-year study on the effects of taking Belviq/Belviq XR for weight management has identified a link between taking the drug and increased risk for cancer.
While a range of cancers were discovered among individuals who took Belviq, the primary types of cancer linked to the use of Belviq or Belviq XR include:
- pancreatic cancer
- colorectal cancer
- lung cancer
If you were diagnosed with another type of cancer after taking Belviq or Belviq XR, you may still be eligible to take legal action against the drugmaker responsible for producing and marketing this drug.
How Likely Am I To Get Cancer After Taking Belviq?
According to the FDA, there may be a slight increased risk for cancer among people who take or have taken Belviq for weight management.
In a five-year study of 12,000 participants, 7.7 percent of those who took Belviq received a cancer diagnosis after five years, compared to 7.1 percent of participants who took a placebo drug. A placebo is a drug that offers no therapeutic effect and is used primarily for comparison.
The exact risk for cancer after taking Belviq is unknown at this time. However, the FDA has recommended that those who are currently taking Belviq talk to their doctor about switching to an alternative treatment as soon as possible.
The FDA is continuing to evaluate the risks of Belviq and has stated that the agency will publicize its final conclusions and review of the drug’s safety upon completion of their ongoing investigation.
What Should I Do If I Take Belviq For Weight Loss?
The FDA has issued a statement recommending that patients who are currently taking Belviq or Belviq XR stop taking the drug and dispose of their remaining supply.
Do not stop taking Belviq on your own. Talk to your doctor about how to safely taper your current dose or stop your use of the drug, based on their professional recommendation.
Although the FDA has not confirmed a direct link between Belviq and cancer at this time, the drug failed to pass a recent safety test and has therefore been deemed unsuitable for consumer use.
Liability Of Belviq Drug Manufacturer
Personal injury attorneys who have taken on dangerous drug lawsuit cases are investigating how people who have developed serious complications from Belviq may take legal action against the drug manufacturer responsible.
Based on the information currently available, the attorneys of Florin|Roebig believe that Eisai Inc., the manufacturer of Belviq, may be sued on the grounds of product liability. Product liability is an area of law that deals with personal injury or death caused by a defective product or service.
By failing to detect the increased risk for cancer associated with their drugs, Eisai Inc. may be held liable for serious health complications—like cancer—that have developed in people who have taken Belviq or Belviq XR.
If our attorneys find that Eisai Inc. knowingly produced and profited from potentially cancerous drugs and failed to warn the public about Belviq health risks, this may impact how lawsuits against the company are tried in court.
Belviq Cancer Lawsuits: Ways To Take Legal Action
Personal injury attorneys are currently investigating the side effects and dangers of Belviq, as well as how much the pharmaceutical company that produces the drug knew about the drug’s potential link to cancer.
People who have developed serious health complications after taking Belviq are urged to contact the FDA to report side effects and contact an attorney to determine eligibility for taking legal action against the manufacturer of Belviq.
If you’ve suffered personal harm, or known someone who has died after taking Belviq, you may be eligible to:
- file a personal injury lawsuit
- file a wrongful death lawsuit
- initiate a class action lawsuit
Belviq Personal Injury Lawsuits
Individuals who have developed cancer after taking Belviq/Belviq XR or suffered other serious health complications while taking the drug as directed may be eligible to file a Belviq personal injury lawsuit.
With the help of an attorney, filing a personal injury lawsuit may help you recover compensation for expenses related to your use of Belviq. This may include current and projected medical expenses, money spent on Belviq/Belviq XR drugs, lost wages, and pain and suffering costs.
Belviq Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Surviving loved ones of individuals who died after taking Belviq/Belviq XR may be eligible to file a lawsuit on account of wrongful death, provided the cause of death can be directly linked to the use of Belviq/Belviq XR.
Wrongful death lawsuits serve as a way in which family members can seek justice for a loved one who died due to the negligent behavior of a person or entity.
In this case, the primary manufacturer of Belviq may be held liable for their negligence in failing to detect the potential link between their drugs and cancer, and neglecting to warn the government, doctors, and consumers about this risk, if they had awareness of this risk prior to the recent FDA safety alert.
Wrongful death lawsuits may help families seek compensation for damages such as funeral and burial costs, mental anguish, and pain and suffering costs.
Belviq Class Action Lawsuits
Class action lawsuits represent groups of people who have been similarly harmed by a person, product, or service.
Lawyers across the U.S. are investigating whether individuals who developed cancer or other serious health complications after taking Belviq/Belviq XR have the grounds to initiate a class action against Belviq drugmaker, Eisai Inc.
Joining a Belviq class action lawsuit may allow individuals to seek compensation for certain types of damages associated with the use of Belviq/Belviq XR, in recognition of its potential ability to increase people’s risk for developing cancer.
Understanding Types Of Belviq Lawsuits: Difference Between Class Action Vs. Multidistrict Lawsuits
Another important distinction to understand if you’re considering taking legal action against the manufacturer of Belviq is whether you would benefit most from filing an individual lawsuit or joining a class action.
Filing an individual lawsuit would allow you to seek compensation for damages related to your own personal circumstances. Class actions can be beneficial for people who are seeking compensation for the same severity of harm.
The eventual settlement from a class action is distributed in equal shares among all plaintiffs, whereas an individual lawsuit that is grouped into multidistrict litigation allows individuals to negotiate and receive their own settlement.
An attorney can help you determine which form of legal action may best suit your individual needs and allow you to recover the most compensation to cover your losses.
Belviq Cancer Attorneys Serving The U.S.
The top-rated personal injury attorneys of Florin|Roebig have been following the recent news about Belviq/Belviq XR products very closely to identify how we may help individuals seek compensation for suffered losses.
Our attorneys have secured over $1 billion in results for clients nationwide. Our award-winning team possesses the skills and resources to help individuals stand up to drug manufacturers who have caused unreasonable harm.
Our Belviq cancer attorneys serving clients in Florida, Texas, Minnesota, and Colorado include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Luca G. Esposito
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- Nicholas S. Costantino
- Jordan A. Kolinski
- Matthew L. McMullen
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
- Lawrence J. Najem, O.C.
- Andrew M. Leone, O.C.
- Nollys R. Solarte, O.C.
- Brian R. Dettman, O.C.
Find A Belviq/Belviq XR Cancer Attorney Near You
Current claims being filed against the manufacturer of Belviq allege that the drug company withheld important safety information about the link between Belviq and cancer, misleading the public for years about the potential health risks of taking their drugs.
Our experienced attorneys can determine if you or a loved one is qualified to file a lawsuit against Belviq manufacturer, Eisai Inc., for personal injury or wrongful death. We’ll help you every step of the way to seek compensation for your losses.
Call the offices of Florin|Roebig today to schedule a free consultation with one of our award-winning personal injury attorneys to discuss the details of your case.