Belviq became available in the US on June 11. The active ingredient in Belviq is a compound called lorcaserin, and it is approved for treatment of obesity in adults who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or those who have a BMI of 27 or greater plus at least one weight-related condition like high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, or elevated blood pressure.
The US Drug Enforcement Agency classifies lorcaserin as a Schedule IV drug, which means it has a relatively low potential for abuse.
Belviq and another new weight loss drug called Qsymia have received media attention recently, in part because of a lack of new prescription weight loss drugs over the past decade and a half, coupled with increasing rates of obesity in Americans.
How Belviq Works
Belviq works by activating specific receptors found in several brain regions, including the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus, and choroid plexus. When receptors in the brain’s hypothalamus are activated by the active compound in Belviq, production of a substance called POMC (proopiomelanocortin) is stimulated, which causes a feeling of satiety, and thus a reduced appetite.
Clinical studies have shown that people who took Belviq lost slightly more weight than people taking a placebo, even when they were not instructed about general weight loss techniques. Patients who took Belviq and were instructed in weight loss techniques lost about twice as much weight as those in the placebo group.
Belviq Cost and Availability
Belviq costs about $200 per month and is not yet covered by most insurers. It became available in June, and by most accounts got off to a slow start in the marketplace. IMS Health, which tracks prescriptions for stock analysts and drug companies, found that Belviq was prescribed 1,087 times during its first week on the market. Subsequent weekly prescription counts were 1,829 and 2,222.
Keep in mind that these numbers include prescriptions given away for free and prescriptions that included significant rebates. In order for Arena to meet sales forecasts, the drug will have to reach a consistent 15,000 prescriptions per week, according to financial analysts.
How Belviq Differs from Xenical
Belviq works in an entirely different manner than Xenical, the current top selling weight loss drug. While Belviq works by curbing appetite through stimulation of certain brain receptors, Xenical’s approach is more straightforward: it reduces the amount of fat absorbed from food. So while Xenical works via the digestive system, Belviq works through the nervous system. Additionally, Xenical is approved for long-term use, but Belviq is only indicated for long-term use in those with the BMI and health conditions indicated for prescribing it, and only if the patient continues to see a benefit from it.
Will Belviq Overtake Xenical as Top Weight Loss Drug?
It is unlikely that Belviq will knock Xenical from its place at the top of the weight loss drug market. For one thing, initial sales have been slow, compared to the immediate spike in sales for Xenical as soon as it was approved by the FDA. For another, it is expensive, and for those who have had success using Xenical, there’s no real reason to switch, since Xenical is approved for long-term use.
Belviq is a new option for people with obesity and who have obesity-related health complications. It works in a completely different way than the current top selling drug Xenical. Anyone considering taking weight loss drugs should work with a physician to determine which medication is right for his or her situation. At eDrugstore.com, we dispense prescription medications for weight loss at competitive prices and maintain the highest standards for patient privacy, security, and safety.
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