blue pills and canister on concrete backgroundHave you been diagnosed with cancer after taking Belviq or Belviq XR? You could be entitled to a substantial monetary award. Contact Rosen Injury Lawyers to learn about your legal rights and discuss your injury case. Our Belviq cancer lawyers will help you fight to get every last dollar you deserve.

We offer a free initial case assessment, so give our law firm a call to arrange a time to sit down with our accomplished team today.

Why Are People Filing Belviq Cancer Lawsuits?

Using Belviq might be associated with an increased risk of cancer. When a company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets a pharmaceutical drug, it has a responsibility to make sure that it’s safe. The risks of using the drug should outweigh the potential risks. Any risks that are associated with the drug – such as a risk of developing cancer – must be disclosed to consumers.

That’s because you have the right to know what you’re putting into your body and what kind of dangers might be associated with taking a certain medication. If you know the risks ahead of time, you can decide whether or not to take a particular medication. If risks are disclosed – or if a company fails to do its due diligence to discover what the risks might be – consumers like you can get seriously injured. These will almost certainly be arguments raised in Belviq cancer lawsuits across the nation.

Legal arguments that will likely serve as causes of action for Belviq lawsuits include:

The FDA rejected the initial Belviq application in 2010. Following that rejection, the company should have conducted exhaustive and in-depth research into any dangers associated with the drug. However, it clearly did not. This failure will likely be raised in every Belviq lawsuit filed across the United States.

What is Belviq?

Belviq, which is also known as lorcaserin, is a weight loss drug that is used to treat obesity. It works by stimulating serotonin 2C receptors to effectively trick a person into thinking that they’re full. When prescribed, Belviq is intended to be part of a weight-loss regimen that includes increased activity and a low-calorie diet.

FDA Denied First Belviq Application in 2010

Belviq was first submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval back in 2010. However, the agency rejected the manufacturer’s application, citing concerns about how safe (or unsafe) the product was. Specifically, the FDA pointed to research that suggested that there was an “unclear safety margin for lorcaserin-emergent brain astrocytoma” and a relationship between lorcaserin and tumors in female rats.

In other words, there was too much uncertainty about the cardiovascular risks, dangers, and benefits associated with taking Belviq. Other weight-loss drugs had caused heart problems in the past, and, based on the application submitted, the FDA wasn’t satisfied that Belviq was any safer.

In 2012, the manufacturer resubmitted its application to the FDA after explaining that the tumors shown in rats would not affect humans. As a result, Belviq and Belviq XR – which is a sustained-release version of the drug – were approved by the FDA by a vote of 18 to 4, but with one big condition. The FDA required the pharmaceutical company to conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment to, once and for all, evaluate the drug and the risk of cardiovascular issues.

Clinical Trial Reveals Higher Rates of Cancer in Belviq/Belviq XR Users

In compliance with the FDA mandate, the manufacturer developed a drug trial. Known as Camellia-Timi 61, the study followed 12,000 patients in 8 countries over the course of 5 years. The purpose of the trial was to determine whether or not taking Belviq could cause heart damage or cardiovascular issues. When the trial concluded, researchers determined that the drug’s “effects on the risk for cardiovascular disease are mild.”

However, the study did reveal a heightened incidence of cancer diagnoses in the participants. While there was no evidence to show a causal relationship between Belviq and cancer, individuals who took Belviq were diagnosed with cancer at higher rates than those who didn’t take the drug. When reviewing the results, the FDA found that 7.7 percent of Belviq patients were diagnosed with cancer, while only 7.1 percent of the placebo group developed cancer.

FDA Recalls Belviq In February 2020

Following the conclusion of the clinical study, the FDA and the drug manufacturer issued a voluntary recall for Belviq and Belviq XR on February 13, 2020. The statement explained that the recalled was issued “because a safety clinical trial shows an increased occurrence of cancer.” The company, however, adamantly disagrees with the fact that the drug causes cancer.

Does the fact that Belviq was recalled mean that you can’t file a lawsuit or be compensated for your injuries? No. A recall does not mean that the manufacturer won’t be responsible for harm caused by its weight loss drug. It simply means that, moving forward, the drug won’t be sold or prescribed. Any harm caused by the drug before the recall can still be grounds for a lawsuit. The fact that Belviq is subject to a safety recall can even be beneficial to you if you’ve been injured.

Whether or not you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or experienced side effects, it’s important to stop taking Belviq.

Are There Any Belviq Lawsuit Settlements?

No. Belviq lawsuits are still in the early stages. There are no settlements to date. However, as an increasing number of affected users file lawsuits, Eisai, Inc., drug the manufacturer, might begin to consider and negotiate settlements to avoid a showdown before a jury.

Which Cancers Are Linked to Belviq?

The FDA determined that Belviq users have been diagnosed with “a range of cancer types.” Those occurring most frequently include:

However, this is not an exclusive list. Other cancers, including brain cancer and breast cancer, may also be associated with Belviq and Belviq XR. The only way to know if you might have a case is by speaking with an experienced attorney. Do not hesitate to contact Rosen Injury Lawyers to schedule an appointment with our legal team.

Do I Have a Belviq Cancer Lawsuit?

You might have legitimate grounds to file a Belviq cancer lawsuit if:

Simply put, you might be able to file a Belviq cancer lawsuit and recover compensation if you have received a cancer diagnosis after taking Belviq as part of your doctor-approved weight-loss regimen.

Note that only an experienced attorney can tell you if you have a legitimate claim. So, do not hesitate to call Rosen Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys will listen to your story, review the circumstances of your diagnosis, and answer any questions you might have.

Damages May Be Available If You’ve Been Diagnosed With Cancer While Taking Belviq

Has someone you love died because of cancer after taking Belviq? Have you been diagnosed with cancer while taking Belviq? You might be entitled to monetary damages to compensate for:

Rosen Injury Lawyers will work tirelessly to help you fight to recover all economic and non-economic damages to which you might be entitled. Working in conjunction with specialists and experts, we’ll do everything we can to hold Eisai, Inc. fully accountable for your injuries, trauma, and suffering.

You’ll Have a Limited Time to File a Belviq Lawsuit

Once you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you will have a limited amount of time to file a product liability or wrongful death lawsuit against Belviq’s manufacturer. The specific statute of limitations will vary, depending on the laws of your state.

The clock will typically begin to run when you realize that taking Belviq might be associated with your diagnosis. So, it is critical to reach out to an experienced Belviq cancer lawsuit attorney as soon as you can after you receive your diagnosis.

Call Our Belviq Cancer Lawyers Today

You took Belviq to help you lose weight. Now you’re face-to-face with a life-changing cancer diagnosis. That’s simply unacceptable. Let Rosen Injury Lawyers help you fight to hold the drug company fully accountable for the harm and suffering you’re experiencing.

Our Belviq cancer attorneys offer a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to give our law office a call today. When you sit down for your free assessment, we’ll carefully review your case, explain your potential legal options, and address any concerns you may have.