Belviq Lawsuit Attorney

Belviq, the brand name of lorcaserin, is a weight loss drug that originally hit the market in 2012. It was developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Eisai Corp, Ltd. However, it was voluntarily withdrawn from the market in February 2020 at the request of the FDA due to its risk of causing cancer. Now, millions of patients are potentially at risk of developing cancer from using Belviq — and many others are also suffering from medical issues after using the drug.

Belviq Weight Loss Drug

At TonaLaw, our Belviq class action and mass tort lawsuit lawyers are here to help you get the compensation you deserve if you have developed cancer or other medical issues as a result of taking lorcaserin. We offer free case evaluations to anyone who believes they may have a case. Give us a call at 1-833-TONALAW or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation today.

What Is Belviq?

Belviq is the brand name of lorcaserin. This is a drug that is intended to help obese people lose weight. It works by suppressing your appetite by activating your brain’s receptors for serotonin, which tell your body that you are satisfied. Tests that were submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed that Belviq was twice as effective as a placebo for helping those with Type 2 diabetes lose weight.

In 2009, Belviq was originally submitted to the FDA by Arena Pharmaceuticals for use by anyone. However, the FDA voted against its release, as there was little evidence of its effectiveness in weight loss, and there were concerns of finding tumors in test rats. In 2012, however, the drug was resubmitted for approval, but with certain conditions. Specifically, it was submitted with the restrictions that it was only to be used by: 

  • People with a body mass index (BMI) over 30; OR
  • People with a BMI over 27 who also have a “comorbidity,” such as Type 2 diabetes or hypertension

The FDA approved the drug with these restrictions, and lorcaserin hit the market. In 2016, the extended-release of the drug was approved for the market.

Health Risks Associated with Belviq

One of the conditions set in place by the FDA was that Arena Pharmaceuticals would have to run additional safety studies to ensure the drug wasn’t overly dangerous. These tests ran from 2013 to 2018 and consisted of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. In those five years, about 12,000 people participated in the trials. The tests showed that patients taking Belviq were more often diagnosed with cancer than those who took a placebo. In fact, one additional person per 470 taking Belviq for at least a year was diagnosed with cancer.

After these trials, the FDA decided the risks of lorcaserin outweighed its benefits. In 2020, the FDA asked Eisai to withdraw Belviq, and they complied. 

The most common cancers that patients taking lorcaserin developed included:

  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Breast cancer

The good news is, Belviq showed no real heart valve problems, unlike other weight loss drugs in the past. A negligible number of patients showed heart valve failure in clinical trials compared to those taking a placebo. Additionally, the heartbeat of those taking lorcaserin was 1-2 beats slower than those taking the placebo. 

What Should I Do If I Take Belviq?

This recall is relatively new, and many people who take Belviq may have no idea that there are serious risks involved with taking the drug. If you are currently taking lorcaserin talk to your doctor immediately about alternatives for weight loss. At your doctor’s direction, you should dispose of your unused medicine at a drug take-back location, but if that’s not possible, throw them out in your trash, uncrushed.

Doctors and other medical professionals should stop prescribing Belviq and dispensing the drug to patients. Inform patients about the cancer risks associated with lorcaserin, and discuss alternative weight-loss strategies with them. It’s not important that you conduct special screening for those who take Belviq.

Can the Creators of Belviq Be Held Accountable for My Cancer?

If you have been prescribed Belviq or the generic lorcaserin, and you developed cancer as a result, you may be able to hold Arena Pharmaceuticals and Eisai Corp, Ltd. liable. There were very clear risks of cancer development shown even before the drug was approved for the market, and ongoing studies only confirmed these risks.

Of course, Belviq was still prescribed to millions of patients, even though these risks were known. Because the drug developer knew of the risks, they can be held accountable for your medical bills and other losses. In addition, because Eisai knew (or should have known) about these risks and marketed the drug anyway, they can also be held liable. 

At TonaLaw, we know how to hold these massive pharmaceutical companies accountable for the damage they caused, whether you’re filing a personal injury lawsuit or joining a mass tort or class action litigation. 

We are preparing to bring actions against the manufacturers of Belviq, and representing clients in all 50 states. We offer free case evaluations to anyone who believes they may have a case. Give us a call at 1-833-TONALAW or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation today.

What Our Clients Are Saying

TonaLaw
5.0
Based on 297 reviews
powered by Google
Amber PalermoAmber Palermo
17:50 23 Dec 22
The professionalism and expertise of the TonaLaw team is unmatched. I’ve worked with Juliet and she was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and I could tell that she cared about helping me. If you’re looking for a legal team that helps with you any problem, big or small, TonaLaw is a team you can trust.
Regan moriartyRegan moriarty
16:49 23 Dec 22
The TonaLaw team is full of wonderful and hardworking people. I have personally worked with Juliet and she is excellent. You can tell she truly cares about the work she is doing. Highly recommend.
Elizabeth MartinezElizabeth Martinez
15:42 16 Dec 22
I can not be thankful enough for the amazing experience Tonalaw has given me from the very beginning. If you are looking for a lawyer who truly cares about your case then TonaLaw is for you. The amount of time and dedication they put in a case really shows how above and beyond they go. Not to mention how sweet everyone is really makes it a pleasure to work with TonaLaw.
Beatrice CestaroBeatrice Cestaro
22:06 14 Dec 22
I am extremely satisfied and happy to have chosen Tonal Law . The whole experience was flawless And I had absolutely no issues throughout the entire process. Everyone was so helpful and on time with everything, answered any questions I had, and we’re always easily available if I had any concerns. I basically did not have to lift a finger or do absolutely anything at all but answer a few questions. I put my full trust into Tona Law and I’m happy I did so. Would for sure recommend to any of my family and friends.
Anita AbramsAnita Abrams
21:14 05 Dec 22
Tona Law was an absolute pleasure to work with. As a local ART and Custom Framing resource, we helped to enhance their new offices, with beautiful and sophisticated, well curated artwork. Tom and his team were closely involved in all of the selections, and the environment is warm and friendly, as a result. Everyone at Tona Law, is considerate and professional.
Dawn DemartinoDawn Demartino
16:25 11 May 22
From start to finish I was informed every step of the way of the status and updates of my case… the time and steps taken to resolve my case in the best possible outcome was just one of the many great things Tonalaw provided. Personal care and commitment is top notch. Thank you !!
Louis B.Louis B.
15:27 08 Apr 22
Over the last few years Tona Law has guided me through the process with clear communication throughout. They are truly a client advocate and will do everything in the best interest of the client. Cannot thank them enough for all their work done for me.
Richard WoolleyRichard Woolley
19:49 26 Mar 22
Tom Tona and his team are fantastic. They do a great job for their clients. Can't recommend them highly enough.
Stacy LofredoStacy Lofredo
23:41 24 Mar 22
Tona Law has simplified no fault medical billing in a way that allows staff to effortlessly navigate through what could be a confusing process. Their staff is knowledgeable and responsive that we never have to worry about the ever-changing regulations because they are on top of keeping up to date with any changes in keeping their clients informed which is priceless!
Ruben ReyesRuben Reyes
15:29 13 Aug 21
They responded right away and were very professional. Brittany Reyes was very helpful. Thank you for your help
Randy RodriguezRandy Rodriguez
03:24 09 Aug 21
Would highly recommend if anyone is seeking any legal advice!
js_loader