Arena's Weight-Loss Pill Belviq to Hit Market on Tuesday

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced Friday that its drug Belviq for weight loss will be available in pharmacies from June 11, 2013.

Belviq (pronounced bel-VEEK) was approved last year by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It helps people lose weight by tricking them into believing that they are full even after eating a small meal. The drug works by selectively activating serotonin 2C receptors in the brain.

The drug, coupled with exercise, has been shown to be effective in reducing weight in heavy people. Common side-effects of the drug included dizziness, fatigue and constipation. The company said that nursing mothers should not take the weight loss pill.

The launch of the drug in the U.S. was delayed due to logistical hurdles. The drug is now classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a Schedule IV controlled substance, meaning that it has low scope for abuse, according to The Associated Press.

Belviq will cost about $200 (wholesale price) for a month's supply at pharmacies, Gary Palmer, chief medical officer for Eisai, told USA Today. For patients, its cost will depend on their insurance coverage.

Vivus' new drug Qsymia (pronounced kyoo-SIM-ee-uh) is another weight loss pill that prevents people from overeating by making them feel fuller. The drug came out in mid-September and promises a weight loss of 10 percent in obese or overweight people.

Both the drugs are intended for people with a serious weight problem, along with at least one health complication, such as high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes or high cholesterol.

Obesity has been linked with a higher risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and even some cancers. According to estimates by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a third of all people living in the U.S. are obese.