Madeleine Hull
Belviq (lorcaserin) is a prescription weight-loss medication that was approved by the FDA in 2012. It was used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise to help people lose weight and maintain weight loss. However, in 2020, the FDA requested that the manufacturer of Belviq voluntarily withdraw the drug from the US market due to safety concerns. Clinical trial data showed an increased occurrence of cancer in patients taking lorcaserin compared to those on a placebo. As a result, Belviq is no longer available, and patients are advised to stop taking it and consult their healthcare providers about alternative weight-loss medications and programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it used for? | Weight loss and weight management |
| Who is it for? | Adults who are obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg per m2) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg per m2) with at least one weight-related comorbidity |
| How does it work? | By affecting brain serotonin signaling, making you feel more full, so you eat less |
| How is it used? | In conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and, if appropriate, an exercise program |
| Dosage | 10 mg, two times a day |
| Availability | This form and dosage of Belviq have been discontinued by the manufacturer and are no longer available |
| Side effects | May increase the chance of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in patients with diabetes; may cause serotonin syndrome if taken with other serotonergic drugs; possible increased risk of cancer |
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What You'll Learn
Belviq diet pill is no longer available
Lorcaserin is a medication used for weight loss in people who are overweight or obese, particularly those with weight-related medical issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease. It is designed to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and proper exercise. The medication works by affecting brain serotonin signaling, making you feel more full and thus eating less.
Belviq was initially approved by the FDA in 2012 after reviewing a series of clinical trials that looked at its effects on weight and its safety profile compared to a placebo. However, a larger study to assess its cardiovascular safety was mandated by the FDA. This subsequent study, known as the CAMELLIA-TIMI 61 trial, involved approximately 12,000 men and women over five years and was the largest cardiovascular outcome trial conducted for a weight-loss medication at the time.
Following the FDA's review of the data from this trial, the manufacturer, Eisai Inc., agreed to voluntarily withdraw the product from the US market. Patients taking Belviq were advised to stop taking the medication and consult their healthcare professionals about alternative weight-loss treatments and programs. It is important to note that weight-loss medications should only be used under medical supervision, and the risks and benefits should be carefully considered for each individual.
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Belviq was withdrawn due to cancer risk
Belviq, also known as Lorcaserin, was withdrawn from the market due to an increased risk of cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested a voluntary withdrawal of the drug on February 13, 2020, following the analysis of a 5-year clinical trial assessing its cardiovascular safety. The trial included more than 12,000 patients and found that patients who received Belviq were more likely to develop cancer compared to those who received a placebo.
The trial, known as the CAMELLIA-TIMI 61 trial, was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at over 400 sites in eight countries, including the United States. It is the largest cardiovascular outcome trial conducted to date for a weight-loss medication. The results showed that 7.7% of patients taking Belviq were diagnosed with cancer, compared to 7.1% of patients in the placebo group. Reported cancers included colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers.
Following the FDA's request, the drug's manufacturer, Eisai Inc., voluntarily agreed to withdraw the product from the market. Patients taking Belviq were advised to stop taking the medication immediately and dispose of the pills properly. They were also encouraged to discuss alternative weight-loss options and weight-management programs with their healthcare providers.
Belviq was a prescription weight-loss medication used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise to help people lose weight and maintain weight loss. It was also used in overweight individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease. While the drug was initially approved by the FDA, the long-term trial revealed that the potential risks of Belviq outweighed its benefits. As a result, healthcare providers were instructed to stop prescribing and dispensing Belviq, and patients were encouraged to explore alternative treatments for weight management.
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Belviq was used for weight loss
Belviq, also known as Lorcaserin, was a weight-loss drug developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals. It was approved by the FDA in 2012 and prescribed to patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. Belviq was designed to reduce appetite by activating the serotonin receptor 5-HT2C in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain known to control appetite. This activation was believed to promote weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness and reducing cravings.
The safety and efficacy of Belviq were evaluated in several randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving thousands of obese and overweight patients, both with and without type 2 diabetes. These trials found that treatment with Belviq for up to one year was associated with an average weight loss ranging from 3% to 3.7% of body weight. In people with type 2 diabetes, about 38% of patients treated with Belviq lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared to 16% of those on a placebo.
Despite its effectiveness in promoting weight loss, Belviq was withdrawn from the US market in 2020 due to safety concerns. A long-term clinical trial found a slightly increased occurrence of cancer in patients taking Belviq compared to those on a placebo. Specifically, 7.7% of patients taking lorcaserin were diagnosed with cancer, compared to 7.1% in the placebo group. As a result, the FDA concluded that the potential risks of Belviq outweighed its benefits and requested the manufacturer to voluntarily withdraw the product.
It is important to note that weight-loss medications can be effective tools when used under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals. However, individuals considering such medications should work with their doctors to weigh the risks against the benefits and explore alternative weight-loss strategies if necessary.
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Belviq was used with diet and exercise
Belviq was a weight-loss drug developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals. It was used together with a reduced-calorie diet and proper exercise to help people lose weight and maintain weight loss. It was also used in overweight people who may also have had diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
Belviq was only part of a complete program of treatment that also included diet, exercise, weight control, and possibly testing blood sugar. It was important to follow a doctor's instructions for a reduced-calorie diet plan and regular exercise. The medicine would be prescribed by a doctor, who would determine the appropriate dose for each patient.
Belviq was approved by the FDA in 2012 for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) who had at least one weight-related condition. However, in 2020, the FDA withdrew approval for Belviq due to an increased risk of cancer detected in users. The manufacturer of Belviq had been required to conduct a long-term trial evaluating the cardiovascular effects associated with the use of the drug, and it was found that more people taking Belviq were diagnosed with cancer compared to those taking a placebo.
Belviq is no longer available on the market, and patients have been advised to stop taking it and talk to their healthcare professionals about alternative weight-loss medications and weight management programs.
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Belviq was available on prescription
Belviq was a prescription drug for weight loss in obese or overweight people with weight-related medical issues. It was meant to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and an exercise program. The drug was also available under the generic name lorcaserin.
Belviq was approved by the FDA in 2012. However, the FDA requested the voluntary withdrawal of the drug from the US market in February 2020. This was because a safety clinical trial showed an increased occurrence of cancer that outweighed any potential weight-loss benefits. The manufacturer, Eisai Inc., complied with the FDA's request.
Belviq was available only with a doctor's prescription. Doctors would advise on the appropriate dosage, which was typically 10mg two times a day. The medicine was meant to be taken for a period of 12 weeks, after which the patient's weight loss would be assessed. If the patient did not lose a certain amount of weight, the doctor would advise stopping the medication.
Belviq was not suitable for everyone. For example, it was not recommended for patients taking other serotonergic drugs such as antidepressants. Patients with diabetes were also advised to check their blood sugar levels regularly and report any changes to their doctor.
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Frequently asked questions
Belviq diet pills are no longer available to buy as they were withdrawn from the US market in 2020 at the request of the FDA. This was due to a safety clinical trial that showed an increased occurrence of cancer in patients.
Belviq is a weight-loss medication that works by affecting brain serotonin signalling, making you feel more full and suppressing appetite and cravings. It is used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise program.
Belviq is for adults who are obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg per m2) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg per m2) with at least one weight-related medical issue. It is only available with a doctor's prescription.
