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Lorcaserin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 30, 2023.

Summary

Commonly reported side effects of lorcaserin include: headache, hypoglycemia, decreased hemoglobin, euphoria, and lymphocytopenia. Other side effects include: constipation, dizziness, fatigue, increased serum prolactin, nausea, and xerostomia. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to lorcaserin: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Lorcaserin

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.

Other side effects of Lorcaserin

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:

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.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to lorcaserin: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 16.8%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, impaired attention/memory

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tremor, confusion, disorientation

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Serotonergic excess

Frequency not reported: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome/serotonin syndrome, somnolence[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Regurgitant cardiac valvular heart disease, bradycardia[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, insomnia, stress, depression/mood problems

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Euphoria, suicidal ideation

Frequency not reported: Hallucination, dissociation[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Decreased lymphocyte count (up to 12.2%), decreased hemoglobin (up to 10.4%)

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased red blood cell count, decreased neutrophil count

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased white blood cell count[Ref]

Endocrine

Very common (10% or more): Hypoglycemia (up to 29.3%)

Common (1% to 10%): Worsening of diabetes mellitus, elevated prolactin[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 13.7%), nasopharyngitis (up to 13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Cough, oropharyngeal pain, sinus congestion[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, peripheral edema, chills[Ref]

General

The most common adverse reactions for non-diabetic patients were headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, and constipation. For diabetic patients, the most common adverse reactions were hypoglycemia, headache, back pain, cough, and fatigue.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperhidrosis[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, vomiting, toothache, gastroenteritis[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection[Ref]

Immunologic

Common (1% to 10%): Seasonal allergy[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Back pain (up to 11.7%)

Common (1% to 10%): Musculoskeletal pain, muscle spasms[Ref]

Ocular

Non-diabetic patients experienced events of blurred vision, dry eye, and visual impairment. Diabetic patients experienced visual disorders, conjunctival infections, irritations and inflammations, ocular sensation disorders, and cataract conditions.[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Eye disorder[Ref]

Oncologic

Frequency not reported: Increased incidence of cancer[Ref]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that safety data from a lorcaserin clinical trial shows a possible increased risk of cancer. In this trial of 12,000 participants over 5 years, more patients taking lorcaserin were diagnosed with cancer compared to patients taking placebo. The cause of the cancer is uncertain, and it is unknown if this drug contributed to the cancer risk. The FDA will continue to evaluate the clinical trial results and communicate final conclusions and recommendations once the review is complete.[Ref]

References

1. Product Information. Belviq (lorcaserin). Eisai Inc. 2012.

2. US Food and Drug Administration. Safety clinical trial shows possible increased risk of cancer with weightloss medicine Belviq, Belviq XR (lorcaserin) https://www.fda.gov/media/134174/download 2020.

Further information

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

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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