Raleigh Belviq Lawyer
Belviq is an anti-obesity medication designed to be used alongside a proper exercise and dietary regimen to promote healthy weight loss. The medication is also known by its generic name Lorcaserin. The drug’s manufacturer Eisai Inc. recently announced that it had decided to remove Belviq from the market due to increased concerns that the drug may carry cancer risks. This voluntary recall follows on the heels of a request entered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after clinical tests indicated that taking the drug could increase consumers’ chances of developing cancer.
If you or someone you know has taken Lorcaserin and been diagnosed with cancer, you should speak with a Raleigh Belviq lawyer as soon as possible. A personal injury attorney could evaluate your situation to determine whether you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation.
A Closer Look at the Clinical Findings for Belviq
Belviq received approval to be sold on the market in 2012. The weight loss medication quickly grew in popularity as scores of consumers found that they were able to successfully lose and maintain their goal weight while taking the drug. The FDA permitted Eisai to distribute and market Belviq with the stipulation that the company would launch clinical trials to investigate the potential impact of the medication on consumers’ cardiovascular health. One of the most notable risks with many weight loss drugs is the long-term effects on a person’s heart.
Eisai conducted a five-year clinical study of 12,000 consumers with both standard and placebo control groups. When Eisai finally released its findings, the FDA’s analysis of the study was grim. The FDA asserted that study participants who had taken Belviq had experienced an increased incidence of cancer compared to participants who had taken the placebo. Of the participants who had taken the placebo, 7.1 percent had received a cancer diagnosis, compared to the 7.7 percent of participants who developed cancer after taking the actual drug.
While the exact source of the cancer was not determined, the FDA urged anyone taking the drug to speak with their physician about other options and instructed doctors to give thought to the risks and benefits of prescribing the drug. Eisai has disputed the FDA’s conclusion regarding the drug’s cancer risks, but the company has recalled both Belviq and the medication’s slow release version, Belviq XR.
Different Cancers Associated with Belviq
Throughout the five-year study conducted by Eisai, Belviq was linked to the onset of several different cancers. These include cancers of the lungs, pancreas, and colon. If someone has been diagnosed with any of these cancers after taking Belviq, they should get in touch with a Raleigh Belviq lawyer to discuss possible legal action.
Potential Side Effects and Contraindications
Besides cancer, the consumption of Belviq or Lorcaserin has been linked to a variety of side effects and contraindications. These can include muscular discomfort, hypoglycemia, cognitive issues, fatigue, and digestive upset. Belviq can also cause side effects such as skin breakouts, head and back pain, faintness, and respiratory problems. An attorney familiar with the defects associated with Belviq might be able to help a patient who has experienced adverse side effects from taking this drug.
Contact a Raleigh Belviq Attorney
You should contact a Raleigh Belviq lawyer if you or a loved one was taking Belviq before receiving a cancer diagnosis. An attorney could thoroughly investigate your potential claim and explain your legal options.
Call today and schedule your consultation with a Raleigh attorney.
