Benicar

Serious Intestinal Issues After Taking Benicar?

If you or a loved one suffered from chronic diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues while taking Benicar, you may be entitled to a cash settlement.

About Benicar

Benicar is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. Benicar is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, known generically as Olmesartan and is also marketed as Benicar HCT, Azor, and Tribenzor. This drug keeps blood vessels from narrowing, lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

The dangers associated with Benicar include serious intestinal problems causing patients long lasting diarrhea, dehydration, and malnourishment. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) warned the medication causes intestinal problems known as Sprue-like Enteropathy (chronic diarrhea and severe weight loss) and issued a black box warning label for the medication in 2013. The medication also causes a condition called Villous Atrophy, which damages the ability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients. Because symptoms are very similar to those suffering from Celiac disease, these conditions are often misdiagnosed. In patients experiencing complications, symptoms subsided when taken off Benicar and resurfaced after being reintroduced to the drug.

Approximately 1.9 million patients filled prescriptions for Benicar and other Olmesartan medications in the United States in 2012. No other drugs in its class have been found to cause severe intestinal issues, according to the FDA, despite claims by its manufacturer Daiichi Sankyo that Benicar is superior in safety and effectiveness.

If you are taking Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, or Tribenzor it is very important not to ignore symptoms such as unusual weight loss and gastrointestinal issues as they can result in permanent damage. If you are experiencing any such issues, contact your physician immediately.

Conditions Caused By Benicar

• Sprue-like Enteropathy (chronic diarrhea)
• Villous Atrophy (damage to the small intestine)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Crohn’s Disease

Benicar Key Points

• Benicar was approved by the FDA on April 25, 2002 to treat high blood pressure/hypertension. 
• The FDA issued a black box warning in July 2013 stating that Benicar can cause intestinal damage.
• The FDA found that patients experiencing chronic diarrhea and severe weight loss and were taken off Benicar had their symptoms subside. When they were put back on Benicar, the symptoms resurfaced.

Cases, Settlements and Verdicts

One of the first cases against manufacturer Daiichi Sankyo was in February 2014 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. George Edward Williams claimed in the litigation, Benicar caused permanent damage to his intestines and he was hospitalized more than 10 times over a period of 4 years. He now has to use a feeding tube.

You Have Legal Options

If you or a loved one suffered chronic gastrointestinal issues while taking Benicar, you may be entitled to a cash settlement. Contact the Benicar experts at 1-800-LAW-FIRM for a free and confidential consultation today.