{"id":9056,"date":"2020-02-19T16:46:54","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T21:46:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=9056"},"modified":"2020-07-10T13:43:13","modified_gmt":"2020-07-10T17:43:13","slug":"belviq-fda-market-withdrawal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/belviq-fda-market-withdrawal\/","title":{"rendered":"Weight-loss drug Belviq withdrawn from U.S. market amid concerns it raises cancer risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Feb. 13, <\/span>Eisai<\/span><\/a>, the makers of the weight-loss drug <\/span>Belviq<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Belviq XR<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>lorcaserin HCI), voluntarily withdrew the drug from the U.S. market at the request of the <\/span>U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)<\/span><\/a>. Belviq is a prescription medication, available as a tablet and an extended-release tablet. It increases feelings of fullness to help patients eat less and lose more weight, especially when used along with diet and exercise. The FDA approved Belviq in 2012 for adults who are obese; or who are overweight and have weight-related medical problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why did the FDA ask for Belviq\u2019s withdrawal?<\/span><\/h2>\n

As part of Belviq\u2019s marketing approval, the FDA required Eisai to perform a long-term trial examining whether the drug produced any cardiovascular problems in users. The study lasted five years and looked at 12,000 users with cardiovascular disease and\/or a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It found that the drug did, indeed, help users lose weight without producing any major heart problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But in reviewing the data, the FDA found that people taking Belviq had a higher incidence of cancer than those who didn\u2019t take the drug. According to the FDA\u2019s analysis, 7.7% of Belviq users were diagnosed with cancer during the study period, versus 7.1% of those in the control group who were taking a placebo (inactive pill that did not contain any drug). Types of cancer included pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancer. While the company says its interpretation of the data differs from the FDA\u2019s, the FDA says the risks of using Belviq outweigh its benefits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Eisai respects the FDA’s decision and is working closely with the Agency on the withdrawal process,\u201d the company said in a <\/span>statement<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What should Belviq users do?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The FDA cautions users to stop taking Belviq immediately and discuss other weight-loss methods with their doctors. Belviq works differently than some other weight-loss medications on the market, so it\u2019s possible your doctor may advise using a different medication or recommend diet and exercise alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

To dispose of unused Belviq properly, bring the medication to a <\/span>drug take-back location<\/span><\/a>. If that isn\u2019t possible, the FDA recommends you dispose of Belviq in the trash:<\/span><\/p>\n