Belviq is a brand of lorcaserin, a weight-loss drug developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals. Belviq affects chemical signals in the brain that control appetite. Belviq works by helping you feel full with smaller meals by activating a type of serotonin receptor known as the 5-HT2C receptor in a region of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is known to control appetite.
Belviq is used together with diet and exercise to treat obesity. It is sometimes used to treat obesity that may be related to diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
Belviq hit the market in 2012, offering weight-loss hope to people who struggled with obesity. It was the first weight-loss drug approved by the FDA in 13 years. However, in December 2012, the US Drug Enforcement Administration proposed classifying lorcaserin the active ingredient in Belviq as a Schedule IV drug because it has hallucinogenic properties at higher than approved doses and users could develop psychiatric dependencies on the drug. On 7 May 2013, the US Drug Enforcement Administration classified lorcaserin as a Schedule IV drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
Why Was Belviq Taken Off the Market?
Belviq was taken off the market on Feb. 13, 2020, after a five-year clinical study linked it with an increased risk of cancer among its patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then requested the manufacturer of Belviq and Belviq XR (Eisai Inc ) to withdraw the weight-loss drug from the U.S. market because of safety concerns. The drug manufacturer, Eisai Inc, submitted a request to voluntarily withdraw the drug.
What should patients do?
Patients should stop taking Belviq and talk to their health care professionals about alternative weight-loss medicines and weight management programs. It’s best to dispose of unused lorcaserin using a drug take back location, but if you can’t get to the one you can dispose of Belviq in your household trash:
- Mix the pills with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds; do not crush them.
- Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag.
- Throw away the container in your trash at home.
- Remove or delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or packaging, then throw away or recycle them.
FDA is not recommending special screening for patients who have taken Belviq. Talk to your health care professional if you have questions.
What are the possible side effects of Belviq?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Belviq: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Belviq and call your doctor at once if you have:
- unusual changes in mood or behavior, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
- dry eyes, blurred vision;
- feelings of standing next to yourself or being outside of your body;
- memory problems, trouble concentrating;
- breast swelling (in women or men), nipple discharge;
- penis erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours;
- heart problems–fast heart rate, trouble breathing, dizziness, ongoing weakness, or swelling in your arms, hands, legs, or feet;
- high levels of serotonin in the body–agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting; or
- severe nervous system reaction–very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.
Common Belviq side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness, feeling tired;
- dry mouth, cough;
- nausea, constipation;
- back pain; or
- low blood sugar (in people with diabetes).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Alternatives to Belviq
| MEDICATION | HOW IT WORKS | COMMON SIDE EFFECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Xenical (orlistat) prescription Alli (orlistat) nonprescription | Reduces fat absorbed in the gut from food eaten | Diarrhea, gas, oily stool leakage, stomach pain |
| Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate) | Mix of two medications to lessen appetite and make you feel full sooner | Constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, taste changes, trouble sleeping, tingling of hands and feet |
| Contrave (naltrexone-bupropion) | Mix of two medications to lessen appetite and make you feel full sooner | Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, increased blood pressure, insomnia, increased heart rate, liver damage, vomiting, nausea |
| Saxenda (liraglutide) also known as Victoza for Type 2 diabetes | Lessen appetite and makes you feel full sooner | Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, headache, raised heartbeat |
| Phentermine, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, and phendimetrazine — appetite suppressants only approved for up to 12 weeks | Work with chemicals in your brain to make you feel you are full or not hungry | Constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, problems sleeping, feeling nervous or restless, headache, raised blood pressure, and pulse |
Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions.
