Lorcaserin, a drug marketed under the brand name Belviq, is a medication intended to help adults suffering from medical issues due to obesity or excess weight lose weight and prevent them from gaining it back. However, in February of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that the manufacturer of Belviq and Belviq XR withdraw the drugs from the market due to an increased risk of pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancer.
If you or someone you care about has ever been prescribed Belviq for weight loss and was later diagnosed with cancer, you could be eligible for compensation. The Rizk Law defective drug lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for injured victims in Portland and throughout Oregon for their damages. Our clients have recovered losses such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of income. If we validate your claim, we do not charge you anything while we build your case and only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf.
Can You File a Claim for Damages Caused by Belviq?
When a drug is recalled for dangerous side effects, those who took the drug and suffered side effects may have a case against the manufacturer. If you took Belviq or Lorcaserin, and have been diagnosed with cancer, speak with an experienced defective drug attorney at Rizk Law today to discuss your options at no cost.
During your free consultation, we may ask you questions such as:
- How long did you take the drug?
- What was the drug prescribed to alleviate?
- What are your symptoms?
- When were you diagnosed with cancer?
- What types of treatment have you undergone?
- How has your diagnosis affected your life and your relationships with family members?
If you have lost a loved one who developed cancer after taking Belviq, you may be able to file a lawsuit on their behalf for wrongful death.
How Much Could Your Belviq Defective Drug Claim Be Worth?
Since Belviq was recalled so recently, it is difficult to estimate the payout for your settlement. With that being said, most defective drug cases provide victims with the opportunity to pursue compensation for damages such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of companionship
The Rizk Law defective drug lawyers are skilled negotiators who will fight diligently to recover the maximum compensation possible for your claim.
Why Was the Weight Loss Drug Belviq Recalled?
Manufactured by Eisai Inc., Belviq reduces appetite by activating serotonin in the brain. However, in 2010, the FDA denied approval for Locaserin because they determined that the drug was not only virtually ineffective (patients lost just 3.1% more weight than those given a placebo) but that it also caused lab rats to develop tumors.
After a new round of studies submitted by the manufacturer, the FDA voted to approve Lorcaserin as a weight-loss treatment in June 2012. It was the first prescription weight loss drug to be approved in more than ten years. Despite its approval, consumer watchdog group Public Citizen reported that safety data was being ignored and predicted the drug would eventually be recalled.
The FDA announced its request for a recall after reviewing the results of the cardiovascular risks of Belviq. The test was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel-group trial conducted from January 2014 to June 2018 on 12,000 people in eight countries. Although the study showed no substantial differences between the drug and the placebo when it came to the risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event, the study raised a different red flag.
The test revealed a numerical imbalance in the number of patients who developed cancer and other malignancies. Throughout the trial period, 470 patients treated with Locaserin were diagnosed with 520 primary cancers compared to the group that had only received the placebo.
If You Took Belviq and Have Been Diagnosed with Cancer, Contact an Attorney Today
Do you think you may have a case against Belviq’s manufacturer? If so, a Rizk Law defective drug lawyer can review your claim for free. Call (503) 245-5677 or submit a completed contact form to learn more about your legal options. There are no upfront fees while we build your case, and we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
A cancer diagnosis is devastating to a person’s psychological, physical, and financial well-being. We understand that compensation cannot change your diagnosis, but monetary assistance can reduce you and your loved ones’ stress and allow you to focus your efforts more on healing and less on bills.