Belviq Cost


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Belviq, a prescribed weight loss medication created by Arena Pharmaceuticals, has been approved by the FDA and is designed to help some adults living with extra weight, along with proper dieting and exericse, to lose weight and keep it off.

If you’re overweight and have a weight-related medical condition, then this prescription may be recommended by your physician to help with your weight loss journey.

Belviq Cost
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How much does Belviq cost?

The cost of Belviq will depend on a few factors, including your dosage requirements, your health insurance policy and the pharmacy you choose.  With most patients taking 60 capsules a month, it would be safe to assume you will need to budget about $250 to $300 per month without any insurance, but with the manufacturer savings card, the costs could be much less, as little as $2 per day.  We will explain this below.

In order to keep the weight off and maintain your current weight, do keep in mind that you may have to continue to pay for the medication until your doctor otherwise says to stop doing so.

As for private insurance companies, most, at least from what we researched, would not cover the medication, including Medicare, but it doesn’t mean you cannot save money as some prescription savings cards are readily available on the Internet.

The official website for the drug, for example, offers a few options for both those with or without commercial insurance coverage.  If your insurance did cover the prescription, for example, then the costs could be as little as $2 per day, while those who are paying cash or finding that their Medicare policy will not cover it, then the costs could be less than $3.20 per day.  For more information to see if you qualify, then you can click here to activate a card and see how much you can save at your local pharmacy.  Do note that those who are eligible for state or federal health programs are not able to take advantage of the program.

Another way to save, via prescription savings cards, could help you save a few dollars as well.  GoodRX.com, for instance, allows you to save up to 15 percent off the drug by printing a free coupon directly from the website.  Working just like a health insurance policy, this coupon just needs to be presented at the pharmacy you choose on the website and the savings will instantly come off.

How does Belviq work?

BELVIQ, designed for those who have a BMI greater than 30 or 27 with at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, will work in a way to help you feel full after you have eaten less food.  The medication works by activating the serotonin receptors inside of your brain, the receptors which are responsible for regulating your hunger signals.  When these signals tell your body it’s full, then you will eat less because of it.  Researchers via the company note the drug will only seek out the serotonin receptors that affect your appetite.

According to the prescription brochure, patients will take one 10 milligram pill two times per day along with a low-calorie diet and recommended exercise program, often recommended by your physician.

How much weight do people lose on Belviq?

According to the readily available clinical trails online, researchers found that the average weight loss among 8,000 patients averaged 3 to 3.7 percent of their total body weight, while about 47 percent of patients not suffering from diabetes lost close to 5 percent of their total body weight, in comparison to 23 percent of the placebo patients.

Based on this information, it can be safe to assume, based on these findings, that the average 300-pound person could lose about nine pounds if you were to fall in the average range, but again, this will greatly depend on your diet and exercises choices.  If you do not see results within the first 10 to 12 weeks while taking it, then your doctor may more than likely stop the medication and will recommend another alternative.

Belviq side effects

The most common side effects, as per the FDA, may include headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth and/or constipation, while for diabetic patients, side effects noted included low blood sugar, back pain, cough, fatigue and/or headaches.  To see a full list of noted side effects, the U.S. National Library of Medicine has a full list of side effects.  As always, if you experience any of these side effects, it’s important to contact a medical professional immediately for guidance.

Tips to know

To figure out your dosage, refer to this BMI conversion chart provided by the FDA.

Aside from the savings card option noted above, the manufacturer also offers the Eisai Assistance Program, which is designed to help patients afford their medication, and depending on your financial situation and clinical status, you may be able to receive support as long as you meet eligibility criteria.

At the time of this publishing, there are no generics for Belviq.

It is a schedule IV controlled substance.


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