Dear :
On February 13, 2020, the FDA issued a statement to notify providers and consumers that the weight loss drug Belviq (lorcaserin) will be withdrawn from the market. This decision was made following the results of a post-marketing trial which found a numerically higher rate of cancer among patients prescribed lorcaserin (7.7% versus 7.1% placebo over the five year trial). A range of cancer types was reported, including pancreatic, colorectal and lung. Risk of cancer corresponded with duration of therapy, and there were no differences observed between lorcaserin and placebo during the initial months of treatment.
The FDA is advising patients to stop taking lorcaserin and dispose of the drug at a take-back location; alternatively, pills may be mixed with coffee grounds or cat litter and placed in a sealed plastic bag and discarded. They are asking healthcare professionals to stop prescribing and dispensing lorcaserin and to inform current patients to stop taking the medication. The FDA is not recommending additional screenings for patients who have taken lorcaserin.
The full Drug Safety Communication is available
here
.
As always, we welcome any questions or feedback you may have. Just
email
the Pharmacy Team today.
