Having to take the prescription drug Belviq is a nightmare, especially if you don't know what to expect. The medicine was marketed as a treatment for cancer and other conditions, but the side effects are often very dangerous. It's also been linked to heart problems and weight loss. If you or a loved one took Belviq and had adverse side effects, you could be entitled to receive compensation.
Cancer lawsuits
Whether you have been injured or are a family member of someone who has been affected by Belviq, you should know your legal rights. A Belviq cancer lawsuit can provide compensation for injuries, loss of income, and medical bills.
When the FDA discovered that the popular weight-loss drug lorcaserin (Belviq) was associated with an increased risk of cancer, they called for the drug to be recalled. The agency warned that the cancer risk was higher in people who had been taking Belviq for longer than a year. The agency also recommended that patients take other weight-loss drugs instead.
In January of this year, the FDA announced that it was requesting that Belviq be withdrawn from the market. This followed a study that showed a link between the drug and several types of cancer.
Weight loss lawsuits
Hundreds of former Belviq users are suing the manufacturer for failing to warn consumers and doctors of the cancer risk associated with the diet drug. Currently, there are Belviq lawsuits in all 50 states.
The drug was marketed as lorcaserin hydrochloride, a serotonin 2C receptor agonist that targets the brain to reduce appetite. Originally, Belviq was used to treat overweight people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater.
However, a safety study showed that people taking Belviq had a higher rate of developing cancer than those who took a placebo. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that risks outweighed the potential benefits of using the drug. It recommended that people who were taking Belviq stop taking it, but the FDA did not recommend that the drug be stopped altogether.
Heart problems lawsuits
Several lawyers in the Belviq fraternity recently filed a motion to the judge requesting that a new MDL (multiple defendant) be created for the purpose of presiding over the new batch of lawsuits. As of press time, no MDL had been created, but it isn't likely that will change anytime soon. This isn't a new thing, but it's been awhile since we've had a Belviq trial.
The FDA has ordered the manufacturers of Belviq to conduct long-term safety studies, which is a laudable effort, but it hasn't been a ring a bell for patients. The FDA has also requested that the drug be recalled in the United States. The FDA has been pretty adamant about its stance on the matter, which is a shame considering the tumultuous reception of Belviq by the FDA in the first place.
Side effects lawsuits
Thousands of Belviq users have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, for their alleged failure to warn them of the dangers of the drug. Belviq is a weight-loss drug that is prescribed for overweight people with serious weight-related conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
The FDA approved Belviq in 2012. The drug is manufactured by Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai. According to the FDA, Belviq was found to increase the likelihood of cancer, particularly in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers.
The FDA's warning comes after the company released data from a five-year clinical trial that showed a greater number of cancers among patients taking Belviq than those taking a placebo. The study involved 12,000 participants, and 7.7% of those who took Belviq developed cancer.
Cost of a lawsuit
Taking on a pharmaceutical company is not an easy feat. There are many legal obstacles that can prevent a victim from filing a case. It is important to consult an attorney before pursuing legal action. They can review the facts of your case and provide you with a sense of the potential compensation.
One of the most popular claims in Belviq cancer lawsuits is the manufacturer's failure to warn about risks. Several studies show that people who took the drug were more likely to get cancer than those who didn't. However, the actual risk is relatively small.
If you were diagnosed with cancer while using Belviq, you may be entitled to a settlement. An attorney can determine whether you are eligible for a Belviq Class Action lawsuit.