EAST ST. LOUIS — A woman alleges she developed breast cancer as a result of taking the weight loss drug Belviq.
Sharon Govan and Hildred Govan filed a complaint April 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois East St. Louis Division against Eisai Inc., and Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc., alleging negligence, strict products liability, breach of express warranty and fraudulent misrepresentation and concealment.
Govan was prescribed Belviq, also known as lorcaserin hydrochloride, for weight loss by her physician Dr. Markel Owens in July of 2014, according to the plaintiffs' suit.
As a result of taking the defendants' drug Belviq, Sharon Govan suffered severe side effects including breast cancer, the suit claims. She claims that the defendants "falsely represented" that Belviq was safe and effective for chronic weight management and failed to warn of the drug's adverse side effects and risks. In addition, Govan claims the defendants failed to conduct adequate testing and surveillance on the drug and to warn prescribing healthcare providers of the severity and duration of the drug's side effects.
She specifically alleges that the Belviq label did not warn of the increased risk of cancer.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief of more than $75,000, interest, trial by jury and all other proper relief. They are represented by Roger Denton of Schlichter, Bogard & Denton LLP in St. Louis, Missouri.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois East St. Louis Division case number 3:21-CV-384