Lorcaserin is marketed under the brand name Belviq, developed by Arena pharmaceuticals. It is a weight loss drug that reduces appetite by activating a type of serotonin receptor known as the 5-HT2c receptor in a region of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is known to control appetite.

Belviq is indicated as an adjunct to reduce calorie in diet and increase physical activity for chronic weight management in adults patients with an initial body mass index of obesity or overweight patients with at least one weight-related comorbid condition, such as hypertension,type-2 diabetes or dyslipidemia. Lorcaserin may be used in patients with mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment who requires no dose adjustment, however, caution is recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment.

The affinity for the lorcaserin 5-HT2c receptor is approximately 15-fold and 100-fold greater than its affinity for 5-HT2aand5-HT2b respectively. The recommended dose is 10mg orally twice a day with or without food. If patients do not achieve a 5% reduction in weight in 12 weeks, they should stop taking lorcaserin because it still becomes unlikely to achieve any weight loss.

When the maximum dose of 20mg is exceeded per day, the binding becomes less selective for 5-HT2c and binds more to another serotonin receptor such as 5-HT2a, hallucinations, euphoria and altered may result when this serotonin receptor is stimulated. Lorcaserin was removed from the market in the United States in 2020 due to an increased risk of cancer detected in its users.

It has a molecule weight of the hemihydrate form is 241.16g/mol. Lorcaserin hydrochloride hemihydrate is a white to off-white powder with solubility in water greater than 400mg/ml, each tablet contains 10.4mg of crystalline lorcaserin hydrochloride hemihydrate equivalently 10.0mg anhydrous lorcaserin hydrochloride. It has the following inactive ingredients: solidified microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose NF, croscarmellose sodium NF, colloidal silicon dioxide NF, polyvinyl alcohol USP, talc USP, FD&C blue #2 aluminium lake and magnesium stearate NF.

Its chemical name is (R)-8-chloro-1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro -1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride hemihydrate. The use of lorcaserin in inpatient ms with severe renal impairment or end-stage renal failure is not recommended. As a result of the lorcaserin mechanism of action as a serotonergic agonist, potential interactions may occur with medications that affect the serotonergic pathways.

The risk is serotonin syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like reactions can occur if lorcaserin is used in combination with other serotonergic agents, though these effects have been evaluated.

The half-life of lorcaserin is approximately 11hoursnajs It is eliminated primarily in the urine 92% and in the fesses 2.2%.

The major metabolites in urine is N-carbamoyl glucuronide lorcaserin.Lorcaserin is contraindicated on pregnant women, and it is listed as a pregnancy category X medication. It offers no benefit to pregnant women because it promotes weight loss.

   Belviq XR is a serotonin 2c receptor agonist extended-release tablet indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index of 30mg/m2 obese or 27kg/m2 overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition e.g type2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia.

Each Belviq XR tablet contains 20.8mg of crystalline lorcaserin hydrochloride hemihydrate,equivalent to 20.0mg anhydrous lorcaserin hydrochloride,and the following inactive ingredients like microcrystalline cellulose NF,mannitol USP,hypromellose 2208 USP,ethylcellulose dispersion typeB NF,polyvinyl alcohol USP,colloidal silicon dioxide NF,hypromellose 2910 USP,polyethylene glycol NF,titanium dioxide USP,talc USP,FD&C yellow #6/sunset yellow FCF,aluminum lake,iron oxide yellow NF,iron oxide red NF and magnesium stearate NF.

The dose of Belviq XR is one tablet is 20mg administered orally once daily, the Belviq XR tablet must be swallowed whole, it should not be chewed, crushed or divided. The tablet is supplied as an orange-coloured, round, biconvex,film-coated tablets devised with “A” on one side and “20” on the other side. Take the medication as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose, avoid taking two doses at a time. This drug can cause impaired reactions, you need to avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you know how this medication will affect you. Do not take cold, cough or allergy medications while taking Belviq.

Most common side effects of Belviq XR includes headache,dizziness,fatigue,nausea,dry mouth,constipation,diarrhea,vomiting,upper respiratory track infection,common cold,back pain,muscle pain and cough.In diabetic patients common side effects of of Belviq XR May include:low blood sugar,headache,back pain,cough,fatigue,nausea,toothache,seasonal allergies,common cold,stomach pain,decrease appetite,muscle spams and dizziness.Belviq XR may also interact with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, triptans,tramadol,tryptophan and st.john’s wort.

   Belviq is a federally controlled substance because it contains properties of lorcaserin hydrochloride and can be abused or lead to drug dependence. Lorcaserin has the potential to cause mind-altering effects that might lead to the diversion of the prescription drug for recreational purposes.

Belviq can affect the way other substances work in your body and other medicines can also affect the way Belviq works, especially those used to treat migraines, depression and other medical conditions such as triptans, linezolid, tramadol, dextromethorphan, and over counter supplements such as tryptophan or St.John’s wort.

Taking Belviq in high doses may cause psychiatric problems such as hallucinations, feeling high or in a very good mood, depression or thought is suicide. Some people taking Belviq have had problems with the valves in their hearts, this medication may not be appropriate for you if you have a history of heart valve problems.

Attention should be taken if you develop trouble breathing, swelling of the arms, legs, ankles or feet; dizziness, fatigue or weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat, and if you take more than the prescribed dose, hallucinations, euphoria and slowed thinking. All there are risks promoted the Drug Enforcement Agency to classify the drug as a schedule IV controlled substance, meaning it poses a slight risk of dependence.

In clinical reactions, patients treated with Belviq prematurely discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions, compared with placebo-treated patients. The most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation more often amongst Belviq treated patients than placeboes were headache and dizziness. Patients treated with Belviq should be monitored for their mood or behaviours.

Discontinue Belviq in patients who might experience suicidal thoughts or behaviours. For reference, other schedule IV controlled drugs include anti-anxiety benzodiazepine such as lorazepam and sleep aid zolpidem and another older weight loss drug phentermine.