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Belviq available by prescription in US
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Eisai Inc. announced today the availability of lorcaserin by prescription to patients who are overweight with a comorbidity or obese in the US, according to a press release.
Lorcaserin (Belviq, Arena Pharmaceuticals) was approved by the FDA in June 2012. The drug is indicated for use in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regime for patients with a BMI of 30 or those with a BMI of 27 or greater and an additional weight-related health concern, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
Ken Fujioka
“Belviq provides appropriate patients with a new treatment option that along with diet and exercise can help them lose weight and keep the weight off,” Ken Fujioka, MD, director of the Center for Weight Management at the Scripps Clinic, said.
Lorcaserin is believed to work by activating select serotonin 2C brain receptors, thus mimicking satiety and reducing food consumption.
“Obesity needs to be recognized as a chronic disease,” Fujioka said. “The availability of Belviq is a significant milestone in the medical management of overweight and obesity as we work to slow this epidemic in the United States.”