Belviq

Uses

What is Belviq® (lorcaserin) used for?

Belviq® 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.

How should I take Belviq® (lorcaserin)?

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.

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.

How do I store Belviq® (lorcaserin)?

Belviq® is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store Belviq® in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of Belviq® that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush Belviq® down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before using Belviq® (lorcaserin)?

Before using this drug, tell your doctor if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because, while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.
• You are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
• You have allergy with any of active or inactive ingredients of Belviq® or other medications.
• You have any other illnesses, disorders, or medical conditions.

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
• A physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie’s disease)

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

There are no adequate studies in women for determining risk when using Belviq® during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Please always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before taking Belviq®. Belviq® is pregnancy risk category X, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA pregnancy risk category reference below:

• A=No risk
• B=No risk in some studies
• C=There may be some risk
• D=Positive evidence of risk
• X=Contraindicated
• N=Unknown

Side effects

What side effects can occur from Belviq® (lorcaserin)?

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
• Severe nervous system reaction–very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out

Common side effects may include:

• Headache, dizziness, feeling tired
• Dry mouth, cough
• Nausea, constipation
• Back pain
• Low blood sugar (in people with diabetes)

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side-effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with Belviq® (lorcaserin)?

Belviq® may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.

Products that may interact with this drug are:

• Cabergoline
• Linezolid
• Lithium
• John’s wort
• Tramadol
• Tryptophan
• Any type of antidepressant
• Cold or cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant)
• Erectile dysfunction medicine–avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, Cialis, Levitra, Viagra, and others
• Medicine to treat mental illness, anxiety, or a mood disorder
• A “triptan’ migraine headache medicine–such as almotriptan, frovatriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, and others

Does food or alcohol interact with Belviq® (lorcaserin)?

Belviq® may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

What health conditions may interact with Belviq® (lorcaserin)?

Belviq® may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using Belviq® (lorcaserin).

What is the dose of Belviq® (lorcaserin) for an adult?

The recommended dose of Belviq® is 10 mg administered orally twice daily. Do not exceed recommended dose

What is the dose of Belviq® (lorcaserin) for a child?

The dosage has not been established in pediatric patients. It may be unsafe for your child. It is always important to fully understand the safety of the drug before using. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How is Belviq® (lorcaserin) available?

Belviq® is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

• Tablet: lorcaserin hydrochloride hemihydrate 10mg

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Belviq®, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose.