FDA Issues Warning About Belviq
- The popular weight-loss drug Belviq (lorcaserin) may be linked to an increased cancer risk, according to research done by the drug’s manufactorer
- The FDA is advising people taking the drug to discuss with their doctors whether they should stop use
- Ongoing research is being conducted to further define the health risks associated with the drug
The warning comes after a study looking into the safety of weight loss drugs found that people taking Belviq (also known by its generic name, lorcaserin) may have a higher risk of developing cancer. The FDA’s warning did not indicate which cancers the drug was linked to, but did say that doctors who prescribe these medications should be aware of the risks.
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What is Belviq?
The drug was approved by the FDA in 2012 for people attempting to lose weight, and is meant to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The drug works by increasing feelings of fullness, ultimately causing those taking it to consume less food. It is available in tablet form and extended-release tablet form, according to the FDA.While many people have doubts about the safety of weight loss drugs, Belviq seemed promising until the recent FDA concerns. A study released in 2018 found that people taking the drug did not have any increased risk of heart attack, stroke or any type of cardiovascular death. While the drug is still deemed safe for those worrying about heart health, the potential link to cancer may mean some patients need to seek another sort of weight loss intervention. The decision should be made in conjunction with a doctor, the FDA said.
What Does This Mean for People on Belviq?
The research looking at the safety of the weight loss drug in ongoing, and no definitive cancer link has been clearly defined yet.
“At this time, the cause of cancer in uncertain, and we cannot conclude that locaserin contributes to the cancer risk,” the FDA announcement said. “However, we wanted to make the public aware of this potential risk. We are continuing to evaluate the clinical trial results and will communicate our final conclusions and recommendations when we have completed our review.”
The FDA did, however, recommend people taking the medication seek out a professional opinion before going off it. In certain cases, it may make sense to continue taking Belviq. The administration asked that both doctors and patients report any “adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products.”
Obesity and Cancer Risk
One aspect people currently taking Belviq may want to consider, and discuss with doctors, is the link between obesity and cancer. Currently, about one third of American adults are obese, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) — and this also puts people at risk for developing certain cancers.
Several cancers have been linked to obesity, according to the NCI, including liver, gallbladder, colorectal and more. In a previous conversation with SurvivorNet, Dr. Stephen Freedland, a urologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said that obesity increases a man’s risk of both developing and dying from prostate cancer.
“Obese men are about 35% more likely to die from prostate cancer,” Dr. Freedland said. “So it may seem modest, but when we think about — about a third of the entire country is obese, and we think about prostate cancer being the most common cancer among men. Every year, [men are] dying simply because they had an extra few pounds causing their prostate cancer death.”
That’s why Dr. Freedland recommends things like diet interventions for his patients who are overweight — decreasing intake of things like simple sugars, becoming a bit more active, and cutting out harmful activities like smoking could have a really big impact on overall health — and on how someone responds to cancer treatment.
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