Benicar Can Cause Gastrointestinal Problems Similar to Celiac Disease
Benicar
, manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Daiichi Sankyo, was originally designed to lower blood pressure and hypertension and received FDA approval in 2002. However, since the drug’s approval, numerous patients have reported harmful gastrointestinal side effects, including symptoms similar to Celiac disease.
Other side effects of Benicar can include nausea, vomiting, chronic diarrhea, and weight loss. Dehydration and malnutrition can also occur as a result of gastrointestinal distress. A study from the Mayo Clinic followed 22 patients on Benicar and who suffered gastrointestinal problems. In 14 of those cases, side effects were so severe that the patients had to be hospitalized. When all 22 of the patients were taken off Benicar, their symptoms ceased and they regained weight they had lost.
Another, more recent study, conducted by the French Health Insurance Fund through the University of Paris examined 4.5 million patients who were treated with Benicar between 2007 and 2012. Researchers determined that Benicar increased the patient’s potential to develop gastrointestinal problems similar to Celiac disease ten-fold.
After both studies, in 2013, the FDA agreed to update the warning label on Benicar and related blood pressure medications, noting “clear evidence of an association between olmesartan [generic Benicar]” and gastrointestinal disorders.
Two plaintiffs in New Jersey filed lawsuits against the company in February of this year, alleging that their Benicar prescriptions caused them serious harm, and the company failed to warn them or their doctors about the drug’s dangers.
One of the plaintiffs, George Williams, was hospitalized for over 100 days over the past 4 years because of dehydration and malnutrition related to severe weight loss and diarrhea from taking Benicar. He now has to use a feeding tube because of gastrointestinal problems, and treatment for his chronic diarrhea led to compression fractures in his spine and cataracts in both of his eyes. At least four more lawsuits against Benicar have been filed in New Jersey, and more plaintiffs are stepping forward every day.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help Plaintiffs Injured by Benicar
If you or a loved one have taken Benicar to treat high blood pressure or hypertension disorders, and suffered severe side effects, you may have a Benicar personal injury lawsuit.
Side effects from taking Benicar include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Intestinal or stomach discomfort
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Weight loss
- Villous atrophy in the intestine, leading to Celiac disease-like symptoms
- Sprue-like entropy of the intestine
Patients who suffer these serious, life-limiting side effects may have large medical bills, and in extreme cases, may have lost their jobs and become permanently disabled due to their chronic conditions. Personal injury lawsuits can help victims recover some of their financial stability, lost due to unemployment, disability, or medical costs.
The Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. is a leader in the consumer protection battle against dangerous prescription drugs and medical devices, from AndroGel to Zoloft. We represent individuals who have been killed or injured by dangerous or defective pharmaceuticals. If you or a family member have been injured or killed after using dangerous drugs or medical products such as Benicar or supplements, contact our dangerous drug lawyers as soon as possible so that we can begin taking steps to preserve evidence and your claim immediately. We offer free consultations to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800
