• by Tanya Gazdik , April 20, 2014

A national TV campaign for weight loss drug Eisai Inc.’s Belviq emphasizes the struggles many face when they are trying to lose or control their weight.

The spot — which will air on numerous channels including Lifetime, Oxygen and AMC – presents the drug 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 (lorcaserin HCl) is an FDA-approved prescription therapy for chronic weight management. It 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.

"For many Americans trying to lose weight, diet and exercise alone are not enough," said Michael O'Brien, Eisai’s vice president of specialty marketing, in a release. "Our goal with this new ad is to turn up the volume on the conversation -- using realistic situations and questions that real people encounter -- to 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 the drug. 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 Support,” including 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 Meredith’s “EatingWell.”