The two new weight loss medications approved by the US FDA in 2010, Qsymia, which is a combination of Phentermine and Topiramate, and Belviq (Lorcaserin), which one works the best for fast and safe weight loss?
Belviq (Lorcaserin) is an FDA approved prescription weight loss medication. As one of the safer alternatives to losing weight without surgery, and not a stimulant based medication, safe on the heart for the most part, Belviq is an attractive prescription weight loss option to lose weight. The question is – how much does it cost to get Belviq?
Obesity epidemic
The cost of Belviq (Lorcaserin) varies based on your insurance if covered via insurance can vary from $0 to $40.00 or more depending on your coverage. For self pay, the actual cost is about $275 to 300.00 per month.
Here is how to request a coupon or savings card from the manufacturer
Go to Belviq.com, click on savings and fill the form, make sure you fill it right – if you have Medicare, or Medicaid, you may want to say self pay no insurance as they do not cover but you are ineligible to get a coupon
Your insurance might cover this medication. Aetna and Blue Cross have announced coverage for Belviq. Check with your insurance carrier to see if they will cover this medication.
Cost of Belviq – related questions
How much does belviq cost at Walgreens?
While some websites might misleadingly give you the wrong cost, none of the pharmacies sell this drug less than what they are buying it from so the only variable is your insurance. Without insurance, the cost is about $275 or more and with insurance, it could be as low as $40.00 or lower. However, there are manufacturer coupons for self pay patients that bring the cost down to about $125.00 or so.
Is there a generic version of belviq?
No, there is no generic version available for Belviq (Lorcaserin) at this time.
How much is belviq out of pocket?
Out of pocket cost of Belviq depends on insurance.
Is belviq covered by Medicare?
Medicare and by extension medicaid, exclude weight loss prescription medications. The tricky this is that not only Medicare and Medicaid not cover Belviq, but also that if you say you have Medicare or Medicaid or other government issued health care, the pharmaceutical companies would not allow coupons so you pay full price. If you have a government issue insurance, you may want to say “I self pay or no insurance” if you want to take advantage of the coupon.
Belviq weight loss
How much does belviq cost without insurance?
See above, roughly $300.00 per month.
How does belviq work for weight loss?
The drug lorcaserin(Belviq) works on the appetite control center in the brain so you feel fuller
Is belviq used for depression?
No, although Belviq works on the serotonin system, it is approved to treat depression.
When should I take belviq?
There are two formulations, the regular one is Belviq 10 mg which is taken before breakfast and dinner and the extended release dose which is 20 mg that is taken once a day. It does not matter what time of the day you take it although most take this in the morning.
Does belviq make you feel high?
No. Belviq is not a stimulant. On the other hand, you may feel some fatigue.
Is belviq controlled?
Yes, it is a DEA class IV (DEA class one most controlled to class V least controlled)
Is there a generic for belviq?
See above. NO.
Where can I get a prescription for Belviq?
W8MD physicians can help. Visit W8MD.com to find the location closest to you.
How can W8MD help if I am considering Belviq for weight loss?
W8MD Weight loss centers that accept insurance for visits
Specialties: Weight Loss Service, Qsymia, Belviq, Topiramate, Phentermine, VLCD Diet, Low Calorie Diet, Sleep Clinic, Sleep Study Clinics, Sleep Apnea Clinic, Medical Weight Loss, Weight Loss Pills, Weight Loss Supplements, Fast Weight Loss Options, weight loss diet, weight loss program, Lose Weight Philadelphia, Weight Loss NYC, New York Weight Loss Clinic, Adipex, Phentermine, Generic Phentermine Topirmate, Weight Loss Diet Pills, NYC Weight Loss Service
Cities Served:Philadelphia, King Of Prussia, Wayne, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, New York, New York City, Queens, Long Island, Bronx, Bensonhurst.
Counties Served: Chester, Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Burlington, Kings, Richmond, Queens, Manhattan, Bronx Fee For Service
Sample Belviq results:A 346 pound man loses 75 lbs. in three month, lowers blood sugar from 7 to 5. Able to drop most other medications due to the Belviq effect.
Although the US FDA approved Belviq in June 2012 and medication finally is available as of June 2013 as the manufacturer took about a year to bring the drug on the market.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride), as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, for chronic weight management.
The drug is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).
BMI, which measures body fat based on an individual’s weight and height, is used to define the obesity and overweight categories. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adults in the United States are obese.
“Obesity threatens the overall well being of patients and is a major public health concern,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The approval of this drug, used responsibly in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle, provides a treatment option for Americans who are obese or are overweight and have at least one weight-related comorbid condition.”
Belviq works by activating the serotonin 2C receptor in the brain. Activation of this receptor may help a person eat less and feel full after eating smaller amounts of food.
The safety and efficacy of Belviq were evaluated in three randomized, placebo-controlled trials that included nearly 8,000 obese and overweight patients, with and without type 2 diabetes, treated for 52 to 104 weeks. All participants received lifestyle modification that consisted of a reduced calorie diet and exercise counseling. Compared with placebo, treatment with Belviq for up to one year was associated with average weight loss ranging from 3 percent to 3.7 percent.
About 47 percent of patients without type 2 diabetes lost at least 5 percent of their body weight compared with about 23 percent of patients treated with placebo. In people with type 2 diabetes, about 38 percent of patients treated with Belviq and 16 percent treated with placebo lost at least 5 percent of their body weight. Belviq treatment was associated with favorable changes in glycemic control in those with type 2 diabetes. The approved labeling for Belviq recommends that the drug be discontinued in patients who fail to lose 5 percent of their body weight after 12 weeks of treatment, as these patients are unlikely to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss with continued treatment.
Belviq should not be used during pregnancy. Treatment with Belviq may cause serious side effects, including serotonin syndrome, particularly when taken with certain medicines that increase serotonin levels or activate serotonin receptors. These include, but are not limited to, drugs commonly used to treat depression and migraine. Belviq may also cause disturbances in attention or memory.
Available with prescription at many US Pharmacies Starting From Mid June 2013.
Where can I find a doctor to discuss if Belviq is right for me?
W8MD Medical Weight Loss Centers of America’s physicians are among the first obesity medicine physicians to offer Belviq for obese or qualified overweight patients after a physical examination by the weight loss physician.
Belviq costs approximately $3000/year per patient or about $250-275/month. Your insurance might cover this medication. Aetna and Blue Cross have announced coverage for Belviq. Check with your insurance carrier to see if they will cover this medication.
How can W8MD Medical Weight Loss Center’s Insurance Physician Weight Loss Program in Greater Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City Help?
Did you know that 1 in 3 people have insulin resistance or are considered “pre” diabetic which could be the main reason that people are overweight? Losing just 5-10% of your weight will help you reduce risks of heart attacks, diabetes and even some cancers.
Our physicians and staff are committed to offering a comprehensive and individualized approach. W8MD physicians partner with each patient to develop a custom weight management program to best meet their individual needs. If you are a bit overweight or obese, take long term medications for cholesterol, blood pressure or diabetes but your doctor has nothing to offer for weight loss other than simply say “lose weight”, you may want to consider W8MD!
W8MD VLCD very low calorie diet for fast weight loss
Under the direction of Dr. Prab Tumpati, W8MD Weight Loss Centers can help you overcome obesity and to make
a difference. Dr. Tumpati has passed a written board examination in the field of Bariatric Medicine and is also Board Certified in Sleep Medicine and Internal Medicine. The doctor’s of W8MD partner with each patient to develop a custom
weight management program to best meet their individual needs taking into account their medical history, lifestyle and goals.
Since weight and sleep go together, most of the W8MD centers are able to address sleep issues such as snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia and restless leg syndrome to name a few.
And the best part of the program is that most insurance’s cover the doctor visits.
Check out our website at http://www.w8md.com to learn more about us. If you have a little or a lot of weight to lose and want to do it without surgery, set up fees and mandatory meal replacements or appetite suppressants, think W8MD for weight loss.
And, if you are a physician, with an interest in helping your obese or overweight patients, and would like to add a W8MD program at your office, please feel free to contact us.
Specialties: Weight Loss Service, Qsymia, Belviq, Topiramate, Phentermine, VLCD Diet, Low Calorie Diet, Sleep Clinic, Sleep Study Clinics, Sleep Apnea Clinic, Medical Weight Loss, Weight Loss Pills, Weight Loss Supplements, Fast Weight Loss Options, weight loss diet, weight loss program, Lose Weight Philadelphia, Weight Loss NYC, New York Weight Loss Clinic, Adipex, Phentermine, Generic Phentermine Topirmate, Weight Loss Diet Pills, NYC Weight Loss Service
Cities Served:Philadelphia, King Of Prussia, Wayne, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, New York, New York City, Queens, Long Island, Bronx, Bensonhurst.
Lorcaserin Belviq - Withdrawn From Market 