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Belviq Lawsuit

Guardian Legal Network is not currently processing claims for this lawsuit.

Belviq

A popular prescription weight-loss drug called Belviq (lorcaserin) has been linked to various forms of cancer such as colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted safety trials and later decided to issue a full recall of Belviq in February 2020. 

People who have taken the drug are beginning to file claims against Belviq’s manufacturer for failing to warn doctors and patients about the severe health risks associated with their product.

If you or a loved one has taken Belviq, Belviq XR, or another lorcaserin brand and were diagnosed with cancer, you may be eligible to file a dangerous drug lawsuit against the drug manufacturer for financial compensation. Contact The Guardian Legal Network to find a qualified legal representation who can guide you through the legal process.

What is Belviq?

The weight-loss drugs, Belviq and Belviq XR (the extended-release version) were manufactured by Eisai and approved by the FDA in 2012 then made available to United States consumers in June 2013. Belviq was prescribed as a diet pill for weight loss and used by obese and overweight adults who could not lose weight with just diet and exercise. It works by making the user feel full, thus causing them to eat less. The diet pill was meant to be used with a reduced-calorie diet and an increase in physical activity. 

Listed below are the body mass indexes (BMI) for which Belviq was prescribed. A normal BMI is considered to be 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m². 

  • 30 kg/m² or greater (considered obese)
  • 27 kg/m² or greater (considered overweight) when the patient also has other weight-related conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes

Belviq Linked to Different Cancers

In 2012 during the approval process of Belviq, the FDA required Eisai to conduct clinical trials to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular health issues associated with the drug. However, the trials showed an increased risk in various forms of cancer. The trial involved tests with random individuals using placebo drugs. A placebo is an inactive pill that contains no medicinal qualities. 

The clinical trial took five years to complete and had around 12,000 participants who were given either lorcaserin or a placebo.

The 2012 clinical trial results showed that more patients taking Belviq were diagnosed with cancer than those on the placebo. The increased rate was one additional cancer diagnosis per 470 patients. The study showed that the increase in cancer using Belviq came after patients had used the drug for more than a year. 

The following types of cancer are linked to Belviq:

  • Brain cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Thyroid Cancer

FDA Belviq Recall

It wasn’t until January 14, 2020, that the FDA announced a public health alert about the drug’s clinical trials and the possible increased risk of cancer. The FDA said it would continue to review the trial results and provide an update after final analysis.

On February 13, 2020, the FDA ordered Belviq and Belviq XR manufacturers to voluntarily recall their lorcaserin products from the U.S. market due to their link to cancer. The FDA said in their FDA Drug Safety Podcast, “We are taking this action because we believe that the risks of lorcaserin outweigh its benefits based on our completed review of results from a randomized clinical trial assessing safety.”

The FDA asked health care professionals to contact their patients who have been prescribed this medication, inform them of the severe side effects, ask that they stop taking the drug, and discuss alternatives. The FDA also advised patients to stop taking Belviq, Belviq XR, and other lorcaserin medications. Patients should speak with their doctors about other weight-loss drugs and program options to help with weight-loss. 

Belviq pills should be taken to an appropriate medication disposal location. However, if one is not available, the FDA recommends the following option:

  • Mix the Belviq pills with a substance such as dirt or cat litter, but do not crush the pills.
  • Put the mixture into a sealed container or bag.
  • Dispose of the container or bag in your trash bin.
  • Remove all labels from the Belviq bottles and recycle them.

Patients are also encouraged to report any serious side effects to the FDA MedWatch Program.

Patients Are Filing Belviq Lawsuits

Dangerous drug cases are currently being filed against the negligent pharmaceutical companies Eisai Inc. and Arena Pharmaceuticals. Injured patients are claiming that both manufacturers were aware of the serious side effects of Belviq and its link to cancer but did not take the appropriate actions. More lawsuits will be filed by patients who have been diagnosed with cancer due to Belviq.

Belviq and lorcaserin manufacturers have a legal obligation and moral responsibility to conduct proper research of a product and announce the results to the public, especially if the side effects are cancer. Below is a list of claims against the companies:

  • Failed to perform proper research on the serious side effects of Belviq and Belviq XR before putting the product on the market
  • Failed to conduct follow-up studies related to Belviq’s link to cancer
  • Failed to adequately analyze evidence that linked Belviq to cancer
  • Failed to recall Belviq in a timely manner
  • Continued to sell Belviq despite its link to cancer
  • Provided misleading information or false statements about Belviq
  • Placed profits over the safety of consumers

Who Is Eligible to File a Belviq Lawsuit?

Affected patients may qualify for damages if they meet the following criteria:

  • Took Belviq, Belviq XR, or another form of lorcaserin for at least three months
  • Younger than 60 years of age when diagnosed with cancer
  • Diagnosed with a form of cancer related to Belviq within six months after taking the drug for the first time

Patients who meet these criteria are strongly advised to speak with a Belviq cancer lawyer to discuss filing a lawsuit for financial compensation. Patients who may not meet all the criteria, but suspect they may be eligible to file a Belviq lawsuit, are still encouraged to contact a lawyer as each individual’s circumstances are different.

Recovering Compensation in a Belviq Cancer Lawsuit

While each case is unique, a successful dangerous drug lawsuit can generally recover money for the following damages:

  • Medical bills (both past and future)
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Funeral expenses (in the unfortunate event of a loved one’s death)

Generally speaking, a Belviq cancer victim may be entitled to financial compensation for any past and future expenses caused by their cancer diagnosis.

Filing a Belviq Lawsuit

The basis for most dangerous drug lawsuits is usually personal injury and product liability. For victims to win, they must show they suffered an injury, and the damage resulted from any of the following three:

  • Dangerous side effects
  • Defective manufacturing
  • Improper marketing

Injured patients must also prove they were given no warning from a doctor or drug company of potential risks from taking the medication. Anyone who received a warning but still decided to use the medication has a lower chance of winning a lawsuit.

The first step in filing a successful lawsuit is to hire a dangerous drug lawyer who is experienced in fighting against large corporations. Your lawyer will help you file your claim and guide you through the complex litigation process. Each case is different, so the amount of time it takes to resolve a lawsuit can vary widely as months or years may be involved. During this time, a skilled lawyer will collect evidence and medical documents related to the case and perform extensive research into relevant laws and cases.

Your lawyer will also help you file your lawsuit within your state’s statute of limitations, a law that allows only a specific window of time for you to take legal action after suffering an injury. Thus, it is imperative to find a Belviq cancer lawyer and file your claim as soon as possible.

Contact a Belviq Cancer Lawyer

If you took Belviq and have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You should speak with an experienced Belviq lawyer as soon as possible to determine the best course of legal action. 

To get connected with a dangerous drugs lawyer who can provide you with professional legal services, contact The Guardian Legal Network.

Guardian Legal Network is not currently processing claims for this lawsuit.

References

Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions. The content provided on this site, such as documents, text, graphics, images, videos, or other materials, are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition or for any questions you may have regarding a health concern. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this site.

 
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