Lorcaserin Tablets

Generic name: Lorcaserin Tablets [ lor-KA-ser-in ]
Brand name: Belviq
Drug class: Anorexiants

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 20, 2024.

Uses of Lorcaserin Tablets:

• It is used to help you lose weight.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Lorcaserin Tablets?

• If you are allergic to this medicine (lorcaserin tablets); any part of this medicine (lorcaserin tablets); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have kidney disease.
• If you are taking cabergoline.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take this medicine (lorcaserin tablets) if you are pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this medicine (lorcaserin tablets).
• If the patient is a child. Do not give this medicine (lorcaserin tablets) to a child.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine (lorcaserin tablets).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine (lorcaserin tablets) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Lorcaserin Tablets?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine (lorcaserin tablets). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this medicine (lorcaserin tablets) affects you.
• Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes) and take drugs to lower blood sugar, talk with your doctor. Weight loss may raise the chance of low blood sugar if you take drugs to lower blood sugar. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of low blood sugar like dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating.
• Certain drugs used for weight loss have been linked to very bad and sometimes deadly high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). It is not known if this medicine (lorcaserin tablets) raises the chance of this health problem. Talk with your doctor.
• Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of very bad side effects.
• Some people taking drugs like this one have had heart valve problems. Call your doctor right away if you have dizziness, tiredness, or weakness that will not go away; fast heartbeat or a heartbeat that does not feel normal; swelling in your arms or legs; or trouble breathing.
• Call your doctor right away if you have a painful erection (hard penis) or an erection that lasts for longer than 4 hours. This may happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it may lead to lasting sex problems and you may not be able to have sex.
• In one study, a higher rate of cancer was seen in people taking this medicine (lorcaserin tablets) compared to people not taking it. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking this medicine (lorcaserin tablets), call your doctor right away.

How is this medicine (Lorcaserin Tablets) best taken?

Use this medicine (lorcaserin tablets) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food.
• Keep taking this medicine (lorcaserin tablets) as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• New or worse behavior or mood changes like depression or thoughts of suicide.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
• Slow heartbeat.
• Feeling confused.
• Memory problems or loss.
• Not able to focus.
• Pain when passing urine.
• Passing urine more often.
• Nipple discharge.
• For males, enlarged breasts.
• A severe and sometimes deadly problem called serotonin syndrome may happen. The risk may be greater if you also take certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; severe diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or very bad headache.
• A very bad and sometimes deadly health problem called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) may happen. Call your doctor right away if you have any fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, very bad headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast heartbeat, heartbeat that does not feel normal, or are sweating a lot.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Lorcaserin Tablets?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
• Upset stomach.
• Dry mouth.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Cough.
• Back pain.
• Signs of a common cold.
• Nose or throat irritation.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Lorcaserin Tablets?

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine (lorcaserin tablets), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer