According to an editorial, orcaserin may be best used on a cautious basis according to the needs of individual patients. It notes that as in other reports on its use, the side effects of headache, fatigue, dizziness, diarrhoea, and nausea led to twice the number of discontinuations in the lorcaserin group as in the placebo group, although the total rates of discontinuation were similar in the two groups. It adds that with respect to efficacy, liraglutide would provide a similar degree of weight loss but a lower risk of diabetes. Therefore it remains unclear whether this trial will lead to enhanced utilization of lorcaserin, as is the ultimate role of this drug in the treatment of patients who are overweight or obese.
Lorcaserin is a selective serotonin 2C receptor agonist that modulates appetite. In Nov 2017, it was reported that Eisai no longer had plans to file for marketing authorisation in the EU