For the first time in 13 years, the Food and Medicine Administration has approved the weight-loss drug Belviq in the United States. At least one weight-related condition must exist for this drug to be approved for treatment in obese adults (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or larger) and overweight adults (BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater) (i.e., high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, etc.).
Two times a day, the medication is taken in pill form. For a drug launch in late 2012 or early 2013 at the earliest, we can expect the Drug Enforcement Agency (which assesses the risk of drug addiction) to approve the drug for sale for at least four to six months.
Belviq is the first weight loss medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in thirteen years!
With the clearance of Belviq, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reversed its decision from October 2010 to reject the medicine under a different name, Lorqess. There were concerns concerning breast and brain cancers in mice and rats that received the treatment. Following more tests and analysis, the FDA has become more confident in Arena's safety, as its cancer risk has been lower than previously thought.
Experts like Dr. Arya Sharma of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, have cautioned that Belviq is unlikely to be a' magic bullet' for the obesity crisis, despite its significant progress in the treatment of obesity and overweight. After one year of treatment, patients lost 3-4 percent of their total body weight; however, this is "average" as some lost more, while others lost less in the drug's safety clinical trial.
Approximately 45% of persons with type 2 diabetes dropped at least 5% of their body weight in a year, according to a recently published study (about 11.4 lbs.). Belviq treatment considerably improved blood glucose control (average A1c drop of 1.0 percent) in the study. Still, it's not apparent if this improvement was entirely due to Belviq because diabetic drugs were adjustable in the survey.
There is a lot of interest in combining Belviq with other weight-loss medications in the future to achieve even more significant weight loss. This application of Belviq has not been well explored and is not yet licensed due to its lack of safety and efficacy data. We hope to see the beginning of such investigations shortly. People taking Belviq for type 2 diabetes may have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) due to the drug's side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and exhaustion (low blood sugar).
On July 17, the FDA will consider Vivus' obesity medicine Qnexa, which has shown superior tolerance and efficacy in clinical trials than Belviq. According to an FDA advisory committee's recommendation in February, Qnexa should be approved, and it is widely assumed that the FDA would follow that advice. Qnexa, if approved, is expected to get on sale sooner than Belviq, as the DEA has fewer regulatory hurdles to overcome.
After 13 years without new obesity treatments being approved (and even numerous deletions of obesity drugs) have given patients and healthcare practitioners are looking for alternate chronic weight management solutions some hope. Because obesity is finally being recognized as a disease worthy of treatment, we are pleased that Belviq is the first of many to be approved in the future years, and we look forward to many more.
Information Regarding Belviq, Including Its Applications, Adverse Effects, and More
GENERIC NAME(S): LORCASERIN
Taking lorcaserin is meant to be done in conjunction with other aspects of a weight loss program, such as modifying one's behavior, consuming fewer calories, and engaging in physical activity. It is used by certain overweight people, such as those who are obese or have medical disorders related to their weight.
Other people who are overweight make use of it. Achieving and keeping a healthy weight can help offset a number of the significant health risks connected with obesity. Obesity is linked to several severe health risks. Among these dangers include an increased possibility of contracting the cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a shorter life expectancy.
A serotonin receptor agonist is the type of medication to which the drug lorcaserin belongs. This one is a category of drugs. It is thought to achieve its effects by influencing a specific region of the brain that is the body responsible for the control of hunger. Because of worries about its potential for adverse consequences, this drug is no longer available for purchase in the United States.
How to Use Belviq
Before beginning treatment with lorcaserin and anytime you get a refill on your prescription, read the Patient Information Leaflet issued by your pharmacist if one is available. One should do this regardless of whether or not a leaflet is currently available. If you have any inquiries, you need to confer with your family doctor or your local pharmacy.
This medication should be given by mouth twice daily, either with food or on an empty stomach, depending on your physician's recommendation. Regular use of this medication is required to get the most out of its potential benefits. It will be much simpler for you to keep track of if you take it simultaneously every day.
There is a risk that lorcaserin will provide an addictive high. You should not take this medication in more significant doses or more frequently than your physician has recommended you to do so. Your disease will not improve any more quickly, and you will be at an increased risk of having adverse effects.
It is possible that taking this medication will not be beneficial for you if you do not achieve a specific amount of weight loss within the first 12 weeks of treatment, and your doctor may instruct you to stop using the drug in this case. If you do not achieve the desired amount of weight loss within the first 12 weeks of treatment, it is possible that taking this medication will not be beneficial for you. Have a conversation about the specifics with your primary care provider.
Adverse Reactions
In addition to headaches, nausea, dry mouth, and dizziness, these symptoms include constipation and dizziness. Notify your healthcare provider or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these symptoms continue or become worse.
Keep in mind that your physician prescribed this medication for you because they feel that the advantages justify the potential drawbacks. The vast majority of persons who take this medication do not report experiencing any significant adverse effects due to doing so.
Notify your physician right once if you suffer any of the following symptoms:
- Easy bleeding or bruising, swollen breasts or abnormal production of breast milk, mental or mood disorders (such as disorientation, depression, or suicidal thoughts), trembling or twitching muscles, or rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Shortness of breath.
- Swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles
- A fever for no apparent reason
- A rash or itching on the body for no apparent reason
If you are currently taking medication for diabetes, lorcaserin may increase the likelihood of having hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar can manifest in several ways, including sudden sweating, trembling, a quick heartbeat, hunger, poor vision, disorientation, and tingling hands and feet. Notify your physician as soon as possible if you have any adverse effects while using the product. Your physician can decide that you need a different medication dosage(s).
It is highly unusual for males to experience erectile dysfunction for more than four hours at a time. If this happens, you should immediately stop taking medicine and consult a doctor to reduce your risk of experiencing adverse effects in the long run.
A potentially fatal adverse response to this medicine has been reported to occur on infrequent occasions. However, you should seek emergency medical assistance if you notice symptoms that indicate a severe allergic reaction, such as a rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), intense dizziness, or trouble breathing. These symptoms may indicate anaphylaxis.
The following does not include all of the potentially harmful effects. If you experience any side effects that aren't listed here, please let your doctor or pharmacist know.
If you are in the United States and are having any symptoms, you should contact your primary care provider for information about how to treat them. To report adverse occurrences, you can get in touch with the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 or visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If you live in Canada, you should talk to your physician about the potential risks involved in using this medication. If you suffer any adverse effects, you should contact Health Canada at the following number: 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before using this medication, you need to let your doctor or pharmacist know if you are allergic to lorcaserin or if you have any other types of allergies. There is a possibility that this product contains inactive chemicals, resulting in allergic responses or other complications. If you need any further information on this topic, I strongly encourage you to speak with your pharmacist.
Before beginning treatment with this medication, be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions that could increase your risk of experiencing painful or prolonged erections in men, such as diabetes, heart disease (such as heart valve disease, heart failure, slow heartbeat, or heart block), kidney or liver disease.
This medicine has been known to produce drowsiness and lightheadedness in some patients. The effects of alcohol and marijuana (cannabis) can sometimes have a multiplicative impact on one another.
When driving or operating machinery, exercise extreme caution if you do not have complete faith in your ability to do it safely. Drink alcohol, but do it in moderation. If you smoke marijuana, you need to talk to your doctor about the risks involved (cannabis).
Before undergoing any operation, you should discuss everything you put in your body with your primary care physician and dentist (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
If you have diabetes, you should know that this product may affect your blood sugar levels. Keep your doctor updated on the readings you get from monitoring your blood sugar.
Make an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as you notice any symptoms of low blood sugar (see Side Effects section). After consulting with your doctor, your diabetes diet, exercise program, or medication may need to be altered.
Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not take this drug. It is possible that a newborn who is still developing could be harmed by it. Have a conversation about using birth control methods that are both safe and effective with your doctor. If you suspect you could be pregnant or already are pregnant, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Because it is not known whether or whether this medicine is excreted in breast milk, it is strongly recommended that nursing women refrain from using it. Because of the potential risks to the infant, it is not recommended that breastfeeding continues while using this medicine. Visit your primary care physician before you start breastfeeding.
Interactions
The efficacy of a treatment can be affected by drug interactions, and drug interactions can also increase the likelihood of severe adverse effects. This list does not include all of the potentially harmful drug interactions.
Your primary care physician and your pharmacist will find it helpful if you provide them with a comprehensive list of all the medications and herbal supplements you use, along with the dosages you take of each. Consult your physician before taking any drug for the first time or before making any changes to the dosage of any medication.
Cabergoline is a medicine that may interact with this medication.
This medicine may increase the amount of time it takes for your body to eliminate other medications, which may cause a reduction in the efficiency of those treatments. One of the medicines that have been negatively impacted is called dextromethorphan.
Overdose
If you observe any of the following indicators of an overdose, you should immediately call 911: the individual has passed out or has trouble breathing. In any other case, you should get in touch with a poison control center as soon as possible. Simply phoning 1-800-222-1222 will connect you to the poison control center nearest you in the United States. Canadians can get in touch with the poison control centers located in each country's provinces. Hallucinations, feelings of being "high," and the feeling that you are standing next to yourself are some examples of these effects (disassociation).
You should not administer this medication to anybody else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms as you are. To engage in such activity constitutes a criminal offense.
Testing at regular intervals in the hospital or the laboratory may be used to check on your progress or identify any potential side effects (such as a complete blood count or prolactin levels). Please consult your health care provider for any additional information you may require.
Missed Dose
It is essential to keep in mind that you should take any dose that you have forgotten to take as soon as it is feasible to do so. If it is almost time for the next dose, you should skip the one you missed. The following quantity ought to be taken at the regular interval. It is not necessary to take an additional dose to make up for the one you missed.
Storage
When storing these products, both the temperature and the humidity levels should be kept as low as possible. Stay away from the bathroom at all costs. Keep this medication in a safe place so that it is not lost, misplaced, or abused. You must keep medicines away from the reach of either children or animals.
Do not flush any medications down the toilet or pour them down the drain if you have not been instructed. When the product is no longer needed or has passed its expiration date, it should be disposed of appropriately. It is recommended that you seek professional medical advice from your local pharmacist or waste management company.
References:
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20120627/fda-approves-diet-pill-belviq
- https://www.goodrx.com/belviq/is-belviq-safe-for-weight-loss
- https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/diet-medicine-belviq-may-increase-risk
- https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/obesity/33512
- https://www.mooremetabolics.com/weight-loss/medical/belviq/
- https://www.pritikin.com/your-health/health-benefits/healthy-weight-loss/1663-belviq-pros-and-cons.html
- https://www.healthline.com/health-news/weight-loss-drug-belviq-being-recalled-due-to-cancer-concerns
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/weight-loss-drug-belviq-recalled-2020040919439
- https://abcnews.go.com/Health/w_DietAndFitnessNews/fda-approves-weight-loss-drug-belviq/story?id=16661629
- https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requests-withdrawal-weight-loss-drug-belviq-belviq-xr-lorcaserin-market
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