Description
What is Belviq?
Generic Name:lorcaserin (lor KAS er in)
Brand Names: Belviq, Belviq XR
Belviq (lorcaserin) affects chemical signals in the brain that control appetite. Lorcaserin works by helping you feel full with smaller meals.
Belviq is used together with diet and exercise to treat obesity.
Belviq is sometimes used to treat obesity that may be related to diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
Belviq will not treat any underlying health condition (such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure). Keep taking any other medications your doctor has prescribed to treat these conditions.
Important information
Do not use Belviq if you are pregnant. Weight loss during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby, even if you are overweight.
Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together with lorcaserin. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.
Before you take Belviq, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, congestive heart failure, a heart valve disorder, sickle cell anemia, leukemia or myeloma, kidney or liver disease, or a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie’s disease).
Belviq may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person for whom it was prescribed. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Tell your doctor if you do not lose at least 5% of your starting weight after taking the medication for 12 weeks.
Belviq is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, weight control, and possibly testing your blood sugar.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Belviq if you are allergic to lorcaserin.
Do not use lorcaserin if you are pregnant. Weight loss during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby, even if you are overweight. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
To make sure lorcaserin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- diabetes;
- congestive heart failure;
- a heart valve disorder;
- a heart condition such as “AV block” (2nd or 3rd degree);
- sickle cell anemia;
- leukemia or myeloma;
- kidney or liver disease; or
- a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie’s disease).
It is not known whether lorcaserin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Belviq is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take Belviq?
Take Belviq exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
The regular tablet is usually taken 2 times per day. The extended-release tablet is taken only once per day. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.
You may take Belviq with or without food.
You should lose at least 5% of your starting weight during the first 12 weeks of taking Belviq and eating a low calorie diet. Call your doctor if you do not lose at least 5% of your starting weight after taking the medicine for 12 weeks.
Belviq is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, weight control, and possibly testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Lorcaserin is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Do not share Belviq with another person. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
Belviq dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Weight Loss:
10 mg orally twice per day
Comments: Response to therapy should be evaluated by week 12. If a patient has not lost at least 5% of baseline body weight, discontinue this drug as it is unlikely the patient will achieve and sustain clinically meaningful weight loss with continued treatment.
Use: Adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese) OR 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking Belviq?
Belviq may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter weight-loss products without your doctor’s advice.
Avoid taking cough and cold or allergy medications while taking this medicine.
Belviq side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Belviq: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Belviq and call your doctor at once if you have:
- unusual changes in mood or behavior, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
- feelings of standing next to yourself or being outside of your body;
- memory problems, trouble concentrating;
- breast swelling (in women or men), nipple discharge;
- penis erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours;
- heart problems–fast heart rate, trouble breathing, dizziness, ongoing weakness, or swelling in your arms, hands, legs, or feet;
- high levels of serotonin in the body–agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting; or
- severe nervous system reaction–very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.
Common Belviq side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness, feeling tired;
- dry mouth, cough;
- nausea, constipation;
- back pain; or
- low blood sugar (in people with diabetes).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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