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BELVIQ


Product Liability Lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in Pharmaceutical Litigation and Drug Recall cases
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Belviq Cancer Lawsuits

Investigating belviq cancer claims, including reports of rectal cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer

In February 2020, the manufacturer of the weight loss drug Belviq and Belviq XR issued a recall and pulled the drugs from the market at the request of the FDA. The FDA withdrawal request also advised patients to immediately stop taking the drug and dispose of the medication.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested the Belviq recall because a safety clinical trial shows an increased occurrence of cancer.

Belviq and Belviq XR are brand name versions for the popular weight-loss drug lorcaserin. In 2015 alone, over 600,000 prescriptions were filled. Lorcaserin, manufactured by Eisai, was approved in 2012 by the FDA. The FDA originally required that Eisai, the Japanaese drug-maker, to conduct a controlled clinical trial that tested for heart-related health problems.

Joe Lyon is a Cincinnati, Ohio Attorney reviewing drug-related cancer cases and Drug Recall Lawsuits. Plaintiffs nationwide should contact a pharmaceutical injury lawyer to discuss legal options.


Does Belviq Cause Cancer?


The Food and Drug Administration requested a recall in U.S. markets citing concerns over the drug’s link to cancer. Since 2012, researchers have studied the medication’s safety.

The FDA released the following statement: “More patients taking lorcaserin were diagnosed with cancer compared to patients taking a placebo.” They went on to say the risks of taking the drug outweigh the benefits, based on the study.

The agency said it’s possible that several kinds of cancers could be linked to Belviq use, they named the following cancer risks:

  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Lung Cancer

Belviq Cancer Study


Researchers analyzed around 12,000 patients during a study that aimed to identify cardiac risks, and instead discovered a risk of cancer. The study concluded that patients taking Belviq had a higher cancer diagnosis rate than those who took a placebo.

About 7.7 percent of patients who took Belviq had a cancer diagnosis compared to 7.1 percent who were given a placebo. The FDA reported that the longer a patient was on the drug, the greater the risk of developing cancer.

Attorneys have argued that the company should have issued warnings about a cancer risk seeing as early lorcaserin studies performed on rats hinted that the drug might cause cancer. Prior to FDA approval, the manufacturer’s testing linked the drug to an increased rate of cancerous tumors in rats.


What Should Patients Do?


FDA officials recommended that people stop taking Belviq immediately, and find an alternative treatment with the help of a physician. The cancer news leaves some other weight management drugs as options, including: Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate), Contrave (bupropion/naltrexone), Saxenda (liraglutide) and orlistat (Xenical).

As of now, the agency is not recommending any cancer screening for patients who took the drug, though following the Belviq recall, patients are urged to speak to their prescribing doctors and consider speaking to a drug recall attorney.

Healthcare providers should stop prescribing Belviq, and should contact their patients regarding the drug recall.


How Does Belviq Work?


Belviq works to alter the brain’s chemical signals responsible for appetite and increases feelings of fullness to assist patient weight loss. The drug is meant to be used in combination with diet and exercise.

Belviq (lorcaserin) and XR (extended release) is sometimes prescribed to treat obesity linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The medication does not treat underlying health conditions.


Belviq Cancer & Other Side Effects


The Belviq cancer risks at the moment may include an increased risk of developing lung cancer, colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer. Other serious side effects may include:

  • Serotonin syndrome: due to excessive levels of serotonin.
  • Cognitive impairment: memory loss, attention impairment, confusion, and sleepiness.
  • Psychiatric disorders: hallucinations, euphoria and dissociation.

Belviq Cancer Lawsuits


Patients who took Belviq and developed cancer may be eligible to file a lawsuit. If you were diagnosed with pancreatic, colorectal, lung cancer, or another cancer, contact a drug injury lawyer.

Due to statute of limitations, it is important to act quickly and take legal action as soon as possible. In drug recall and pharmaceutical injury cases, The Lyon Firm works to seek the following damages:

  • Medical expenses related to treatment
  • Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
  • Loss of wages and loss of future earnings
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Other punitive damages

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

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A Voice for Those who have suffered

Why are these cases important?

By taking the initiative and filing drug injury lawsuits, plaintiffs can receive proper compensation and hold a corporation accountable for their negligent actions. Consumer safety depends largely on making sure companies operate within the law and within ethical boundaries.

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Our Victories

The Lyon Firm aggressively, professionally, and passionately advocates for injured individuals and families against companies due to a drug to obtain just compensation under the law. 

IN RE: VIOXX

Nationwide Consolidation in U.S. District Court, E. Dist. of LA. 

This pharmaceutical case involved claims that the blockbuster painkiller was causing heart attacks and strokes in consumers. The FDA ultimately recalled the medication. Merck settled the outstanding Vioxx claims for $4.85 billion following multiple trials in both state and federal courts. Joe Lyon was co-counsel in a number of individual claims that were successfully resolved in the federal MDL. The funds received for Lyon Firm clients helped several elderly clients with additional medical and home health care.

IN RE: TRASYLOL

Nationwide Consolidation in Civil Complex Litigation Center Philadelphia, PA. 

A pharmaceutical case involving claims that a popular surgical medication was causing kidney failure and death. The FDA recalled the medication in question, but not before thousands of patients died due to related complications. Bayer resolved certain claims for $60 Million for patients who suffered kidney failure and death as a result of using the drug Trasylol. Joseph Lyon represented a widow from Kentucky whose husband died due to kidney failure following the administration of Trasylol. The recovered funds assisted the surviving family members in resuming farming operations.