Belviq Lawsuit In 2024 | A Complete Overview to Win
If you have been diagnosed with cancer or are suffering from health complications after taking Belviq or Belviq XR, you might be eligible to receive compensation by filing a Belviq lawsuit 2024. First, however, it is essential to understand your legal rights and what steps you should take when you have been issued a dangerous drug and you were unaware of the side effects.
The top Belviq attorneys will investigate your case and determine the proper steps to help you receive the compensation you or your loved one deserve.
On February 13, 2020, the FDA warned the public that Belviq was associated with an increased risk of cancer. However, the agency could not explain what caused cancer in Belviq patients. The FDA recommended that healthcare providers evaluate whether the drug’s benefits outweigh its risks. It advised Belviq patients to discuss the cancer risk with their healthcare providers.
Few highlights of Belviq
Here are some details about Belviq as a product.
- Belviq is the brand name of Lorcaserin.
- It is a new type of hormone appetite suppressant medication developed for the treatment of obesity.
- It was originally developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals and later manufactured and sold by Japanese-based pharmaceutical company, Eisai.
- The U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA) approved Belviq in June 2012.
- It was known to complement a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity.
- It works by suppressing one’s appetite.
- It comes in two forms: a 10 mg tablet that should be taken twice a day; and a 20 mg extended-release tablet, named Belviq XR, to be taken once a day.
March 2022 Belviq Lawsuit Update
In one of the first to file a Belviq lawsuit claim (Johnson v. Eisai, Inc., et al.), a federal judge rejected the attempt by the defense to have the plaintiffs’ case dismissed.
In this case, the defendants filed a motion seeking dismissal of nearly all of the plaintiffs’ claims in the case. However, Judge Carmen Henderson (N.D. Ohio) denied the most significant aspects of that motion. Although the claims for design defect and punitive damages were dismissed, the plaintiffs’ principal claims will proceed, including the defendant’s alleged negligent failure to warn.
January 2020 FDA Drug Safety Communication
Just before the coronavirus shutdown, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication for the weight-loss drug Belviq.
According to the FDA, Belviq increases the risk of certain types of cancers. As a result, Eisai Inc. voluntarily withdrew the drug from the market. It now appears that Belviq is destined to suffer the same disastrous fate as many other prescription weight control drugs.
February 2020 FDA withdrawal request
On February 13, 2020, the FDA requested a full market withdrawal of Belviq and recommended that all patients stop taking the medication.
They also advised patients to discuss other weight loss medications and weight management programs with their physician.
The FDA also recommended disposing of unused Belviq at a drug collection site. The request was based on the FDA’s conclusion that Belviq was a possible carcinogen based on testing results.
The first Belviq lawsuit was filed in Missouri.
The recall and studies linking Belviq to cancer have led to product liability lawsuits. The first Belviq lawsuit claim was filed in September 2020 in Missouri federal court against Eisai and Arena. The victim claimed that she developed breast cancer after taking Belviq for two years.
The woman alleged that Eisai and Arena failed to warn of the drug’s cancer risk. She also alleged in her Belviq lawsuit that they failed to adequately test it. Since then, many additional lawsuits against Belviq have been filed around the country by other individuals who used Belviq and were later diagnosed with cancer.
Types of cancer caused by Belviq lawsuit
A range of different cancers was discovered among several people who took Belviq. The main forms of cancer tied to using Belviq and Belviq XR include:
- Belviq colon cancer.
- Belviq pancreatic cancer.
- Belviq lung cancer.
Eight (8) patients submitted reports to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) on March 16, 2020.
Note: FAERS is a database that contains information regarding medication errors and adverse events.
Additionally, the patients reported sixteen (16) different forms of cancer, including:
- Adenocarcinoma pancreas.
- Basal cell carcinoma.
- Breast cancer.
- Colon adenoma.
- Endometrial adenocarcinoma.
- Follicular thyroid cancer.
- Glioblastoma multiforme.
- Hodgkin’s disease.
- Intraductal papillary breast neoplasm.
- Malignant melanoma.
- Pancreatic carcinoma metastatic.
- Pancreatic carcinoma.
- Pharyngeal neoplasm benign.
- Prostate cancer.
- Skin cancer.
- Thyroid cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with any of these forms of cancer after taking the weight loss supplement Belviq or Belviq XR, then you should seriously consider taking Belviq legal action against the drug manufacturer. Talk to Ethen Ostroff Law today for guidance on your next steps.
How likely can you get cancer after taking Belviq or Belviq XR?
The FDA stated that there might be a higher risk of cancer among people who consume or have consumed Belviq or Belviq XR for weight loss. A five-year study of 12,000 participants showed that 7.7% of Belviq patients were diagnosed with cancer after five years.
Potential side effects of Belviq
As a weight loss medication, Belviq has the following mild side effects:
- Anxiety.
- Blurred vision.
- Constipation.
- Coughing.
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Dizziness.
- Dry mouth.
- Fatigue.
- Headache.
- Muscle pain.
- Toothache.
Unfortunately, some patients have also experienced more serious side effects after taking Belviq or Belviq XR, such as:
- Confusion.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Diarrhea.
- Disassociation.
- Difficulty paying attention or retaining information.
- Enlarged breasts in males.
- Fever.
- Hallucinations.
- Harmful thoughts about yourself.
- Muscle spasms.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Swelling in the arms, legs, or feet.
If your mild symptoms persist or you experience severe symptoms, consult with a physician right away.
How to take legal action against the negligent party
Generally, aggrieved patients have three legal options.
File a personal injury lawsuit:
A person who developed cancer or other serious health complications after taking Belviq or Belviq XR as directed could be entitled to compensation and damages. A highly experienced Belviq lawyer in Philadelphia can help you file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for any injury, losses, and damages you suffered related to your Belviq use. This includes past, present, and future medical expenses, money spent on buying Belviq or Belviq XR drugs, pain and suffering, loss of income, and more.
File a wrongful death lawsuit:
The surviving family members of a person who died by taking Belviq or Belviq XR are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death lawsuit is a way for family members to seek justice for a loved one who died due to the negligent behavior of a person or company.
In this case, the manufacturer of Belviq can be held liable for failing to detect the potential link between their weight-loss drugs and developing cancer, and for neglecting to inform doctors, consumers, and the government of the health risks if they were aware of the potential health issues before the FDA’s latest safety alert. A wrongful death lawsuit will help surviving family members seek compensation for funeral expenses, burial costs, pain and suffering, and more.
File a class action lawsuit:
A class-action lawsuit represents various people who have collectively been harmed by a person, product, or service. Hundreds of Belviq attorneys throughout the United States are investigating whether people who have developed cancer or other health complications after taking Belviq or Belviq XR are eligible to file a class-action Belviq lawsuit against the drug manufacturer, Eisai Inc.
If you join a class-action lawsuit against Belviq, you could seek compensation for a number of damages related to the use of Belviq or Belviq XR due the drug’s potential to increase your risk of developing cancer.
Average settlement amount in Belviq lawsuit
Average settlement amounts in Belviq lawsuits range from $300,000 to $500,000. The top Belviq lawyer in Philadelphia will help you get a clear overview of these cases and determine your eligibility to file a claim or lawsuit.
