Eisai Inc. Launches National Television Advertising Campaign For BELVIQ® (lorcaserin HCl) CIV

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WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai Inc. today announced the launch of a new national television advertising campaign for BELVIQ® (lorcaserin HCl) CIV, an FDA-approved prescription therapy for chronic weight management. The advertisement will air on numerous channels including Lifetime, Oxygen and AMC.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7161051-eisai-launches-national-television-campaign-belviq-lorcaserin-hcl-civ

The spot illustrates the struggles many people face when they are trying to lose or control their weight. BELVIQ is presented as a targeted approach to weight loss, that, when combined with diet and increased activity, may help some patients lose weight and keep it off.

BELVIQ is used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. It is not known if BELVIQ is safe and effective when taken with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight loss products, nor is it known if BELVIQ changes the risk of heart problems or stroke, or death due to heart problems or stroke.

"For many Americans trying to lose weight, diet and exercise alone are not enough," said Michael O'Brien, Vice President of Specialty Marketing at Eisai. "Our goal with this new ad is to turn up the volume on the conversationusing realistic situations and questions that real people encounterto raise awareness and encourage those who continue to struggle with their weight to speak to their doctor about BELVIQ as part of a weight loss regimen."

The ad, which follows a national print advertising campaign launched in October 2013, also encourages patients to inquire about a free 15-day trial offer for BELVIQ. Patients can get more information by visiting StartBELVIQnow.com or contacting 800-934-2096. Once a prescription for BELVIQ is obtained, the patient will be eligible for BELIEVE EVERYDAY SUPPORTSM, a customizable online program which includes a free full membership to Lose It! , an online tracking tool to measure physical activity and daily food intake. The program also offers healthy meal plans, recipes and shopping lists from the experts at EatingWell®.

Approximately two-thirds of American adults are affected by obesity or overweight and the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. has more than doubled among adults in the past 30 years. Many health organizations and authorities, including the American Medical Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health now recognize obesity as a chronic and progressive disease that needs to be treated.

Important Safety Information about BELVIQ®

  • Pregnancy: Do not take BELVIQ if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as weight loss offers no potential benefit during pregnancy and BELVIQ may harm your unborn baby.
  • Serotonin Syndrome or Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)-like reactions: Before using BELVIQ, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, especially medicines that treat depression, migraines, mental problems, or the common cold. These medicines may cause serious or life-threatening side effects if taken with BELVIQ. Call your doctor right away if you experience agitation, hallucinations, confusion, or other changes in mental status; coordination problems; uncontrolled muscle spasms; muscle twitching; restlessness; racing or fast heartbeat; high or low blood pressure; sweating; fever; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; or stiff muscles.
  • Valvular heart disease: Some people taking medicines like BELVIQ have had heart valve problems. Call your doctor right away if you experience trouble breathing; swelling of the arms, legs, ankles, or feet; dizziness, fatigue, or weakness that will not go away; or fast or irregular heartbeat. Before taking BELVIQ, tell your doctor if you have or have had heart problems.
  • Changes in attention or memory: BELVIQ may slow your thinking. You should not drive a car or operate heavy equipment until you know how BELVIQ affects you.
  • Mental problems: Taking too much BELVIQ may cause hallucinations, a feeling of being high or in a very good mood, or feelings of standing outside your body.
  • Depression or thoughts of suicide: Call your doctor right away if you notice any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings, or if you have depression or thoughts of suicide.
  • Low blood sugar: Weight loss can cause low blood sugar in people taking medicines for type 2 diabetes, such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Blood sugar levels should be checked before and while taking BELVIQ. Changes to diabetes medication may be needed if low blood sugar develops.
  • Painful erections: If you have an erection lasting more than 4 hours while on BELVIQ, stop taking BELVIQ and call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
  • Slow heartbeat: BELVIQ may cause your heart to beat slower.
  • Decreases in blood cell count: BELVIQ may cause your red and white blood cell counts to decrease.
  • Increase in prolactin: BELVIQ may increase the amount of a hormone called prolactin. Tell your doctor if your breasts begin to make milk or a milky fluid, or if you are a male and your breasts increase in size.
  • Most common side effects in patients without diabetes: Headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, and constipation.
  • Most common side effects in patients with diabetes: Low blood sugar, headache, back pain, cough, and fatigue.
  • Nursing: BELVIQ should not be taken while breastfeeding.
  • Drug interactions: Before taking BELVIQ, tell your doctor if you take medicines for depression, migraines, or other medical conditions, such as: triptans; medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic or thought disorders, including tricyclics, lithium, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or antipsychotics; cabergoline; linezolid (an antibiotic); tramadol; dextromethorphan (an over-the-counter (OTC) common cold/cough medicine); OTC supplements such as tryptophan or St. John's Wort; or erectile dysfunction medicines.

BELVIQ is a federally controlled substance (CIV) because it may be abused or lead to drug dependence.

For more information about BELVIQ, click here for the full Product Information or visit www.BELVIQ.com.

BELVIQ® is a registered trademark of Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH.

BELIEVE EVERYDAY SUPPORTSM is a servicemark of Eisai Inc.

EatingWell® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation.

Lose It!® is a registered trademark of FitNow, Inc. d/b/a "Lose It!"

About Eisai Inc.

At Eisai Inc., human health care is our goal. We give our first thoughts to patients and their families, and helping to increase the benefits health care provides. As the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., we have a passionate commitment to patient care that is the driving force behind our efforts to help address unmet medical needs. We are a fully integrated pharmaceutical business with discovery, clinical, manufacturing and marketing capabilities. Our key areas of commercial focus include oncology and specialty care (Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and metabolic disorders). To learn more about Eisai Inc., please visit us at www.eisai.com/US.

Eisai Inc. has affiliates that are part of a global product creation organization that includes R&D facilities in Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, as well as a global demand chain organization that includes manufacturing facilities in Maryland and North Carolina. Eisai's global areas of R&D focus include neuroscience; oncology; metabolic disorders; vascular, inflammatory and immunological reaction; and antibody-based programs.

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To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7161051-eisai-launches-national-television-campaign-belviq-lorcaserin-hcl-civ

Media Inquiries

Investor Inquiries

LaurieLandau

Alex Scott

Eisai Inc.

Eisai Inc.

(201) 746-2510

(201) 746-2177

SOURCE Eisai Inc.



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