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.
Belviq Doctors
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.
Cost of Belviq / Lorcaserin for weight loss
Cost of Belviq® or Lorcaserin
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 lossUnder 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, 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.
Insurance Coverage For Obesity
Affordable Care Act of 2010 mandates all insurances, including Medicare, to provide full insurance coverage for obesity!
Tired of being overweight?
W8MD weight loss can help
1718, Welsh Rd, Philadelphia, PA, 19115 Ph: 1-215-676-2334 
: 987 Old Eagle School Rd, Ste 712, Wayne, PA, 19087 Ph: 215-676-2334
2632 E 21st St Brooklyn New York 11235
Ph: 1-718-946-5500.
W8MD weight loss program in New Jersey.
W8MD weight loss, sleep and medical aesthetics
140 E Evesham Rd Cherry Hill New Jersey 08003
Ph:800-W8MD-007
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.
Related articles
- FDA Approves Lorcaserin and Qsymia,, First Weight Loss Drugs For Heavy Patients In Over a Decade (medicaldaily.com)
- Weight loss drug Belviq gets overdue US launch (kansascity.com)
Lorcaserin Belviq - Withdrawn From Market 