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person trying to lose weight when taking Belviq®

Are You Experiencing Serious Side Effects After Taking Belviq®?

Find Out If You May Qualify

Belviq® Side Effects

Belviq® is a weight-loss drug approved by the FDA to treat obesity. Produced and sold by Eisai Inc., Belviq® entered the market in 2012 and offered a weight-loss solution to people struggling with obesity.

Unlike most diet pills available over-the-counter, Belviq® was a prescription drug used to treat obesity as opposed to cosmetic weight loss. Belviq® was also sometimes prescribed to aid overweight people with serious medical conditions, such as high blood pressure.

Belviq® was the first weight-loss drug to be approved by the FDA in many years. However, the FDA later announced increased rates of lung, pancreatic, breast, and colorectal cancer among Belviq® users after a five-year study of the drug’s safety. As a result of these findings, the FDA requested that Eisai Inc. pull Belviq® from the market in February of 2020.

While Eisai publicly stated that it had a different perspective on the five-year study, the company adhered to the FDA’s decision and withdrew their product from the market.

Lawsuit Details

As a result of the FDA’s decision, lawsuits are now being filed, claiming that Belviq® users were never warned about the cancer risk. Find out more about the pending litigation and whether you qualify.

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woman experiencing Belviq® side effects

Common Side Effects of Belviq®

Before the FDA’s announcement, the most commonly reported Belviq® side effects were minor and many users were unaffected by them. The drug’s packaging listed only 11 side effects that users could potentially experience. It’s important to note that some of the common side effects could differ depending on whether the user was diabetic.

Belviq® side effects reported in non-diabetic users:

  • Dizziness
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Dry mouth

Belviq® side effects reported in diabetic users:

  • Headache
  • Back pain
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Hypoglycemia

Although these side effects are relatively minor, it’s always important to speak to your doctor if you experience any side effects with any drug you’re taking to ensure your safety.

Other Serious Potential Belviq® Side Effects

Belviq® controls appetite by activating serotonin receptors, which trigger feelings of satisfaction and being full, in the brain.

SSRI antidepressants, such as Prozac, also target some serotonin receptors that affect mood. Belviq® works by triggering only the receptors that control appetite. However, when taken with an SSRI antidepressant, serious side effects can potentially occur, such as:

  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Depression or out-of-character agitation or mood swings
  • Changes in heart rate
  • Shortness of breath
  • Erections lasting longer than four hours
  • Swelling
  • Bleeding or bruising

If you have experienced any of these side effects after taking Belviq®, please stop using the drug immediately and contact your doctor.

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woman who developed cancer after taking Belviq®

Belviq® May Be Linked to Cancer

The FDA issued its formal request for Belviq® to be withdrawn from the market after the five-year study showed an increased risk of three types of cancer among those in the study, including:

  • Lung cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Breast cancer

Steps are currently being taken to notify the public of the risks the drug carries. Patients have been advised to stop using the drug immediately and safely dispose of any remaining Belviq® pills at either a local drug take back location or through the FDA’s alternative safe disposal methods.

What Can You Do If You’ve Been Diagnosed With Cancer After Taking Belviq®?

One of the biggest questions people have in this situation is “I was never warned about the risk of cancer when I was prescribed this drug. What should I do now?”

If you’ve taken Belviq® and have since been diagnosed with cancer, the first thing to know is that you have legal rights. People who are now fighting cancer after regularly using the weight-loss drug are beginning to file lawsuits against Belviq®’s manufacturer, Eisai Inc., for their medical costs, lost wages, and emotional losses as a result of their diagnosis.

While Eisai warned consumers and the healthcare community about the mild side effects and rare conditions that could occur when combined with antidepressants, they NEVER mentioned that the drug could lead to an increased risk of developing cancer. The lawsuits argue that the company knew or should have known about the dangers to the public.

If you or someone you love has developed cancer after taking Belviq®, you can contact Goldwater Law Firm and our network of Belviq® lawyers by calling 800-210-9700 or by filling out our online form. Don’t wait to find out whether you qualify for a lawsuit and how we can help you fight for justice.

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