On Thursday, the manufacturer of weight-loss drug Belviq or Belviq XR (also known as lorcaserin) was pulled from the shelves. The move comes shortly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked it to voluntarily withdraw it from the U.S. market due to concerns that it may increase the risk of cancer in those who take it.
In a statement, the manufacturer, Eisai Inc., said however that it disagreed with the FDA’s interpretation of new data on the drug's safety and still believes Belviq's benefit outweighs any cancer risk, according to the Japan Times.
Read MoreIf You’re Taking Belviq, What Now?
The FDA recommends that patents should talk to their health care professionals about alternative weight-loss medicines and weight management programs. It also suggests disposing of unused portions of the prescription medication: “It's best to dispose of unused lorcaserin using a drug take-back location.” (Ask your pharmacist to recommend a location in your area.)Safe Drug Disposal Advice From the FDA
If you’re unable to return the drug, the FDA offers disposal advice: “You can dispose of lorcaserin in your household trash:”
But, the FDA cautions, do not crush unused pills. Instead, “Mix the pills with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds. Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag.” Also recommended by the FDA: Remove labels from prescription bottles and packaging — and delete all personal information — before disposing of medications.
Is Cancer Screening Required?
The FDA is not recommending special screening for patients who have taken lorcaserin and suggests that patients who have further concerns should follow-up with the physician who originally prescribed the medication.
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On Jan. 15, the FDA had suggested that “health care professionals should consider if the benefits of taking lorcaserin are likely to exceed the potential risks when deciding whether to prescribe or continue patients on lorcaserin.”
What is Belviq?
The drug was approved by the FDA in 2012 for people attempting to lose weight and was 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 had been available in tablet form and extended-release tablet form (Bellviq XR), according to the FDA.
While many people have doubts about the safety of weight-loss drugs, Belviq seemed promising until the recent FDA concerns.
Obesity and Cancer Risk
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.
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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 measurable impact on overall health — and on how someone responds to cancer treatment.
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