Belviq Withdrawal The End Of Free Weight Loss Drug Samples And Savings Programs

Oct. 13, 2025, 8:36 p.m.

Tags: belviq

Belviq, a prescription weight loss medication, has been permanently removed from the U.S. market following a request from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to an increased risk of cancer associated with the drug. This withdrawal means that all previous free sample programs, promotional offers, and savings coupons for Belviq are no longer available to consumers. The decision to remove Belviq from the market came after FDA review of full clinical trial results revealed that the potential cancer risk outweighed the benefits of treatment.

Belviq Withdrawal from the Market

In a significant development for individuals seeking weight management medications, Belviq (lorcaserin) and its extended-release formulation Belviq XR have been completely withdrawn from the market by their manufacturer, Eisai. The FDA requested this voluntary withdrawal after reviewing complete clinical trial data that showed a higher risk of cancer than previously detected. The specific cancers that contributed to this risk imbalance included pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers.

Janet Woodcock, MD, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, stated: "Our review of the full clinical trial results shows that the potential risk of cancer associated with the drug outweighs the benefit of treatment." The manufacturer complied with this request before the FDA would have taken steps to formally ban the medication.

Belviq had been approved in June 2012 by the FDA as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater (obese) or 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related co-morbid condition. The drug was launched in the United States in June 2013 and had been evaluated in more than 30 clinical trials involving over 22,000 patients prior to its withdrawal.

Previous Free Trial and Savings Programs for Belviq

Prior to its withdrawal from the market, Eisai offered several promotional programs for Belviq, including a free trial offer and a savings card program. However, these programs are no longer available following the drug's removal from the market.

The Belviq 15-Day Free Trial Offer

One previous promotion was a 15-day free trial offer for Belviq. This program allowed eligible patients to receive the medication at no cost for a limited trial period. According to available information, this offer had specific limitations:

One Belviq free trial voucher redemption per person
No purchase or co-pay required during the trial period
The offer was available through manufacturer printable coupons

However, this free trial offer has ended and is no longer available due to the drug's withdrawal from the market.

Belviq Savings Card Program

The manufacturer also offered a savings card program that provided financial assistance for patients prescribed Belviq. The details of this program included:

Patients paid an initial co-pay of $50
Received up to $75 off every subsequent prescription of Belviq
Valid for commercially insured or cash-paying patients
Good toward the purchase of Belviq prescriptions for up to 12 uses
Required a valid prescription from a healthcare provider

The savings card program included specific insurance information for pharmacies: - RxBIN: 610524 - RxPCN: [not specified] - RxGRP: 50776561 - ISSUER: (80840) - ID: [patient-specific ID required]

Prior to the drug's withdrawal, the retail price for 60 tablets of Belviq 10mg at pharmacies like Walmart was approximately $215.71, making the savings card program potentially valuable for patients without adequate insurance coverage.

Manufacturer Coupons and Discounts

Additional savings options for Belviq included manufacturer coupons that could be used at various pharmacies nationwide. These coupons offered different benefits:

Up to 80% off retail prices on Belviq prescriptions
Available at major pharmacy chains including CVS, Walgreens, Publix, Safeway, Albertsons, Rite Aid, and Target
Valid at over 68,000 pharmacies nationwide
Required patients to bring the coupon to the pharmacy when filling their prescription

The manufacturer, Eisai, also offered a specific savings program where patients could "pay as little as $40" for their Belviq prescription, though specific eligibility requirements for this program were not detailed in the available information.

The Reality of "Free" Prescription Drug Samples

The concept of "free" medication samples from doctors' offices deserves closer examination. While these samples may appear to be complimentary without any direct cost to patients, they are actually part of a sophisticated marketing strategy employed by pharmaceutical companies.

Industry data reveals that approximately 50% of physicians meet with sales representatives from drug companies (often called "detailers") weekly, and 60% maintain a drug cabinet of these so-called "free" samples. Pharmaceutical companies invest nearly $20 billion annually on detailing and providing samples to healthcare providers.

These samples serve multiple purposes for pharmaceutical companies: - They provide physicians with immediate inventory to offer patients - They create brand loyalty among prescribing doctors - They give patients an initial no-cost experience with the medication - They often lead to long-term prescriptions that patients pay for

For patients, while there is no immediate out-of-pocket cost for these samples, they ultimately contribute to the overall healthcare costs through the pharmaceutical marketing system that supports their distribution.

Finding Legitimate Free Samples and Savings Programs

For consumers seeking legitimate free samples and savings programs for other medications, several best practices can help identify genuine offers:

No Payment Required: Legitimate free samples should never require payment for shipping or processing. Any offer asking for credit card information for a "free" sample should be viewed with suspicion.
Minimal Information Collection: Most legitimate programs only require basic contact information (name, email, phone number, and shipping address). Some may include brief questionnaires about product preferences or medical conditions, but these should be optional.
Direct Brand Sources: The most reliable free samples typically come directly from manufacturer websites or authorized distribution channels rather than third-party deal sites.
Patience in Delivery: Legitimate samples often take 6-8 weeks to arrive, as they are typically shipped directly from the manufacturer or distribution center.
Email Management: Consumers should consider creating a separate email address specifically for sample requests to avoid cluttering their primary inbox with marketing emails.

For prescription medications specifically, legitimate savings programs often require: - A valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider - Verification of insurance status (for insurance-based savings) - Registration through the manufacturer's official website or authorized platform

Prescription Assistance Programs

Beyond manufacturer-specific savings programs, various prescription assistance programs can help eligible patients access medications at reduced costs. These programs include:

Manufacturer assistance programs
Federal and state government programs
Non-profit organization initiatives
Pharmacy-specific savings programs

These programs typically require separate applications and may have specific eligibility criteria based on income, insurance status, and medical necessity. Patients can often apply through online portals, over the phone, or with assistance from their healthcare providers.

The Future of Weight Management Medications

With Belviq's removal from the market, patients seeking pharmaceutical weight management options should consult with their healthcare providers about alternative treatments. One alternative mentioned in the available information is Qsymia, another FDA-approved medication for treating overweight or obese adults with certain health conditions.

The withdrawal of Belviq underscores the importance of ongoing drug safety monitoring and the willingness of regulatory agencies to remove medications from the market when safety concerns arise. It also highlights the value of discussing both benefits and risks thoroughly with healthcare providers before starting any prescription medication.

Conclusion

Belviq's withdrawal from the market marks the end of all free sample programs, promotional offers, and savings coupons for this weight loss medication. The FDA's decision was based on clinical trial data showing an increased risk of cancer associated with the drug, including pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers.

For patients previously using Belviq, consulting with healthcare providers about alternative weight management strategies is essential. While no free samples or savings programs for Belviq remain available, other legitimate resources may assist with accessing different medications when appropriate.

Consumers should remain vigilant when seeking free samples or prescription savings, ensuring they use official channels and understand that legitimate offers rarely require payment or extensive personal information beyond what is necessary for processing and delivery.