Despite touting the drug as safe after five years of clinical trials, the manufacturers of Belviq found themselves in hot water. Amid questions about the safety of Belviq, it was still released in 2012. Since that time, this medication has shown a direct link to certain cancers. Lawsuits have been filed in all 50 states, and there may be more to come. Here’s the latest Belviq cancer lawsuit news!
What Exactly Is Belviq?
Belviq (lorcaserin) was marketed and prescribed for weight loss. The intention behind the medication was to help obese individuals who qualified to lose weight and minimize their risk of certain health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Why Was Belviq Recalled?
A clinical trial that included 12,000 participants was conducted to test the side effects of Belviq. This clinical trial took place between January 2014 and June 2018.
Researchers were originally concerned with cardiovascular safety but discovered there were more cases of cancer reported in participants who took Belviq versus those who took placebos.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated in their report, “Among patients treated with lorcaserin, 462 (7.7%) patients were diagnosed with 520 primary cancers compared to the placebo group, in which 423 (7.1%) patients were diagnosed with 470 cancers.”
Belviq was withdrawn by the FDA in March 2020. Unfortunately, this did not stop patients from receiving a cancer diagnosis and as a result, lawsuits have been filed.
What Is the Latest Belviq Cancer Lawsuit News?
Individuals began filing lawsuits against Eisai Inc., the manufacturer of Belviq, as soon as the FDA recalled the medication. In August 2021, a judge ruled that cases would not be consolidated in an multidistrict litigation (MDL). This means those affected by Belviq would be able to file individual lawsuits against Elsai, Inc.
A stay was requested in In May 2022, by U.S. District Judge Anne Conway. This gave plaintiffs and defendants time to reach a global settlement. This stay was slated to end in August 2022. As of November 2022, some cases have been settled with undisclosed amounts. Negotiations between all involved parties continue.
For More Information, Turn to the Top Personal Injury Attorneys in Boca Raton
If you developed lung, colorectal, or pancreatic cancer after taking Belviq for at least six months, call our personal injury lawyers today at 561-939-8042 to learn more about whether you have a case!
