Lorcaserin Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 24, 2021.
In 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. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
For the Consumer
Applies to lorcaserin: oral tablets
Warning
Special Alerts:
[Posted 02/13/2020]
Link to Original MedWatch: [Web]
AUDIENCE: Patient, Health Professional, Pharmacy
ISSUE: FDA has requested that the manufacturer of lorcaserin (Belviq, Belviq XR) voluntarily withdraw the weight-loss drug from the U.S. market because a safety clinical trial shows an increased occurrence of cancer. The drug manufacturer, Eisai Inc,. has submitted a request to voluntarily withdraw the drug.
When FDA approved lorcaserin in 2012, we required the drug manufacturer to conduct a clinical trial to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular problems. A range of cancer types was reported, with several different types of cancers occurring more frequently in the lorcaserin group, including pancreatic, colorectal, and lung.
BACKGROUND: In January 2020, FDA announced we were reviewing clinical trial data and alerted the public about a possible risk of cancer associated with lorcaserin based on preliminary analysis of the data.
RECOMMENDATION:
Patients:
Patients should stop taking lorcaserin and talk to your health professionals about alternative weight-loss medicines and weight management programs. It is best to dispose of unused lorcaserin using a drug take back location, available at: [Web], but if you can't get to one you can dispose of lorcaserin in your household trash:
- Mix the pills with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds; do not crush them.
- Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag.
- Throw away the container in your trash at home.
- Remove or delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or packaging, then throw away or recycle them.
FDA is not recommending special screening for patients who have taken lorcaserin. Talk to your health care professional if you have questions.
Health Professionals
Health professionals should stop prescribing and dispensing lorcaserin to patients. Contact patients currently taking lorcaserin, inform them of the increased occurrence of cancer seen in the clinical trial, and ask them to stop taking the medicine. Discuss alternative weight-loss medicines or strategies with your patients.
FDA is not recommending special screening for patients who have taken lorcaserin. As with any individual patient, regardless of prior lorcaserin treatment, standard screening recommendations for cancer should be implemented.
For more information visit the FDA website at: [Web] and [Web].
Side effects include:
Nondiabetic patients: Headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, constipation.
Diabetic patients: Hypoglycemia, headache, back pain, cough, fatigue.
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]
More about lorcaserin
Patient resources
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
References
1. "Product Information. Belviq (lorcaserin)." Eisai Inc, Teaneck, NJ.
2. US Food and Drug Administration "Safety clinical trial shows possible increased risk of cancer with weightloss medicine Belviq, Belviq XR (lorcaserin) Available from: URL: https://www.fda.gov/media/134174/download." ([2020, Jan 14]):
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.