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Belviq Cancer Lawsuits

On January 14, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning stating that the prescription weight loss medication Belviq may be associated with a higher risk of certain cancers. Just a month later, manufacturer Eisai, Inc., recalled all Belviq products from the U.S. market.

If you or a loved one was a regular user of Belviq and has been diagnosed with pancreatic, colorectal, or lung cancer, contact the law offices of Sullivan, Papain, Block, McManus Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C. today. You may be eligible for significant compensation.

Why Choose Us?

At Sullivan, Papain, Block, McGrath Coffinas  & Cannavo, P.C., we are dedicated to pursuing companies who sell drugs with potentially dangerous side effects.

  • We have more than 75 years of combined legal experience representing clients in numerous high-profile defective drug and product liability cases.
  • We are well known in the industry for results, securing more than $2 billion total in favorable verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients.
  • We have a reputation for seeking justice for our clients, regardless of the size or scale of the case in question. Notably, we have provided exemplary representation for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing – along with fighting for the rights of 9/11 recovery and rescue workers.
  • We represent all of our clients based on a contingency fee agreement. We do not charge any upfront legal fees, and there are no expenses expected throughout the duration of the case. You only pay for our services if we win on your behalf.

Ultimately, we are committed to fighting against negligent pharmaceutical companies while you focus on healing and recovery.

What is Belviq?

Belviq is a weight loss drug first approved by the FDA in 2012. This prescription-only medication was normally recommended for obese patients who could not otherwise have lost weight through normal means such as diet or exercise.

The active ingredient in the drug, lorcaserin, helped patients lose weight by altering signals in the brain primarily responsible for appetite. By inducing an increased feeling of fullness, patients were compelled to consume less food and therefore reduce their weight through a caloric deficit.

Why Was Belviq Recalled?

In 2012, the FDA only approved the sale of Belviq on the condition that the manufacturer, Eisai, Inc., would continue to periodically perform clinical trials on the drug for its safety. Initially, the FDA had concerns about the drug’s effect on a patient’s cardiovascular health.

Over a five year period, a double-blind clinical trial was conducted with 12,000 people comparing those who used Belviq regularly and those who used a placebo. Ultimately, the trial found that those who were taking the medication had a significantly higher risk of certain forms of cancer than those taking the placebo.

After the FDA reviewed the data, they determined that the risks of the drug far outweighed its benefits, and recommended that Eisai, Inc. remove the products from the U.S. market.

Which Belviq Products Were Recalled?

On February 13, 2020, Eisai, Inc. voluntarily removed and discontinued sales of the U.S. market:

  • Belviq
  • Belviq XR

Belviq is a lower dose 10mg tablet that was prescribed to be taken twice a day, while Belviq XR was an extended-release version that only required once-daily doses.

The Health Risks Associated with Belviq Use

In the clinical trials, an increased risk of cancer was apparent after just one year of regular use in patients. Studies showed that these patients reported cases of:

  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Lung cancer

Additionally, the FDA also concluded that the risk of developing cancer actually increased the longer a patient was taking Belviq.

It is important to note that Belviq also presents other health risks and side effects such as:

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Dry mouth
  • Back pain

Who May Be Significantly Impacted by Belviq Injuries?

These patients may be susceptible to the increased risk of cancer caused by Belviq:

  • You have taken Belviq or Belviq XR for at least 3 months on a regular basis
  • You were diagnosed with pancreatic, colorectal, or lung cancers at least 6 months after your first use
  • You were under 75 years old at the time of cancer diagnosis

If you fit all these criteria, it is highly recommended to contact a product liability attorney today to discuss your case.

Eisai, Inc. Must Be Held Liable for These Injuries

Americans put trust in pharmaceutical companies to ensure that the drugs and medications they are selling are safe. Additionally, we expect these pharmaceutical companies will not market and sell drugs that are likely to cause more harm than good.

Before Belviq was officially approved in 2012, manufacturer Eisai (then known as Arena Pharmaceuticals), tested the drug for adverse effects. The testing revealed a significantly increased risk of tumors when ingested by rats. Despite these alarming results, Eisai downplayed the dangers of the drug, pushing instead for FDA approval on the condition of long-term testing.

Contact Us Today

Although Eisai, Inc. has removed Belviq from the marketplace, they must be held responsible to the patients who have developed pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers as a result of regular long-time use. If you or a loved one has developed these cancers as a result of regular Belviq use, please contact us today to discuss your case.