Belviq Cancer Lawsuit

If you or a loved one took Belviq or Belviq XR and developed cancer, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Contact the Kishish Law Group today for your free and confidential case evaluation by completing our contact form or by calling us toll free at 1 (888) 402-5552.

On February 13, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that the manufacturer of the weight-loss drugs Belviq and Belviq XR (lorcaserin) remove their drugs from the market. The FDA cautioned that patients taking these drugs were at an increased risk of developing cancer.

Patients that took Belviq or Belviq XR are now pursuing legal action against the manufacturer of these drugs. If you or a loved one took Belviq or Belviq XR and developed cancer, you may be able to sue the manufacturer for damages suffered because of the drug. A individual or class action lawsuit may help you pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs associated with your suffering. Lawsuits can also help send a message to big pharmaceutical companies that they should fully test their drugs for safety before releasing them to the public.

What is Belviq?

Belviq is a weight-loss drug produced by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai Inc. Belviq activates serotonin receptors in the brain to promote feelings of fullness and decrease food consumption. The drug was approved by the FDA to help weight loss in adults who have health problems linked to excess weight, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol.

The FDA initially declined to approve the drug in 2010 amid some concerns by regulators that the drug caused tumors to develop in rats. The agency eventually approved the drug in 2012, but, as a condition of approval, required Eisai to conduct additional clinical trials to test Belviq for safety.

After those safety clinical trials finished, the FDA warned that Belviq could contribute to an increased risk of developing cancer, pending further analysis of the data. The agency finished its analysis in February 2020 and concluded that the increased occurrence of cancer outweighed the benefits of taking the drug.

What are the dangers of taking Belviq?

Safety studies have shown that taking Belviq may increase the risk of developing cancer. The FDA has observed an increase risk for several cancer types, including but not limited to

Pancreatic cancer
Colorectal cancer
Lung cancer

The cause of the increased risk of cancer is not yet known. But the FDA did note that patients appeared to develop cancer more frequently the longer they had been taking the drug.

What does the Belviq cancer lawsuit say?

Patients that took Belviq may argue that the manufacturer designed the drug poorly or failed to inform patients about the dangers of taking the drug. Generally, pharmaceutical companies have a duty to make sure that their products are medically safe and to warn patients, doctors, and regulators about the known risks of taking a drug.

Has Belviq been recalled?

Yes. The FDA requested that the manufacturer voluntarily remove Belviq from the market, and the manufacturer complied. The FDA also advised patients to stop taking Belviq or Belviq XR, dispose of the drugs, and to consult their doctors for other weight-loss options. Though Eisai voluntarily recalled Belviq, it maintains that the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks, saying that its interpretation of the data "differs from that of the FDA."

Do I have a Belviq case?

Contacting a lawyer is the best way to determine if you have a legal claim against the manufacturer of Belviq. The experienced lawyers and staff of the Kishish Law Group will listen to your story and help you decide what legal path forward is best for you. Our case evaluations are free and confidential. Contact us today for your case evaluation by completing our online contact form or by calling us toll free at 1 (888) 402-5552.

Last Modified: Aug 13, 2020

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