As the first round of bellwether Benicar lawsuits grows closer to trial, more and more Benicar patients find themselves suffering significantly from chronic diarrhea, dehydration, and sprue-like enteropathy—a gastrointestinal disorder which can have extremely serious consequences, such as repeated hospitalizations, and even death. While Benicar has been shown to be an effective tool for reducing high blood pressure, plaintiffs in the Benicar cases allege they had no knowledge the drug could cause such serious side effects. They also had no knowledge that other drugs in the class of ARB’s are just as effective and do not cause the same problems.
Extreme Weight Loss from Benicar Can Result in Hospitalization
Extreme weight loss can occur once the severe and chronic diarrhea of Benicar takes over, resulting in those who take the drug being unable to venture far from a restroom facility. For the elderly, in particular, chronic diarrhea and dehydration can result in even more serious medical issues, including death.
Daiichi Sankyo manufactures Benicar, and the drug is marketed by Forest Laboratories. According to the FDA, no other drugs containing the active ingredient Olmesartan have been linked to sprue-like enteropathy and chronic diarrhea. Benicar is known as an angiotensin II receptor blocker.
Is a Recall in Sight for Benicar?
Many wonder why Benicar has not been recalled, despite being linked to dangerous side effects. While the FDA required that a warning be added to the labeling of Benicar, informing consumers of the risks of gastrointestinal-related complications, no recall is in sight. Even further back, in 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter which stated there was a clear link between Benicar and sprue-like enteropathy. Nearly 1,100 federal Benicar lawsuits have been consolidated for pre-trial hearings before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler.
Failure to Warn Results in Serious Side Effects
Because Daiichi Sankyo failed to properly warn consumers about potential risks of Benicar, scores of patients have suffered:
- Chronic diarrhea, serious enough to result in hospitalization
- Sprue-like enteropathy symptoms
- Misdiagnosis of celiac disease
- Chronic malnourishment
- Dehydration
- Stomach problems
- Rapid and significant weight loss
- Nausea
- Acute renal failure
- Villous atrophy
Millions of People Affected by Benicar Side Effects
It is estimated that nearly 2 million people across the U.S. received prescriptions for Benicar in 2012 alone. Benicar is the third-highest selling angiotensin II receptor blocker blood pressure medication on the market. The FDA noted that at least 23 cases of diarrhea from Benicar were identified from adverse event reports submitted to the agency. Symptoms improved significantly when Benicar was discontinued, and returned when Benicar was once again given to the patients. The FDA concluded this was clear evidence of an association between Benicar and sprue-like enteropathy resulting in chronic diarrhea and dehydration.
Mayo Clinic Finds Link Between Benicar and Sprue-like Enteropathy
As far back as 2012, the Mayo Clinic conducted a Benicar study, finding a clear link between sprue-like enteropathy and Benicar. The Mayo Clinic report highlighted a number of cases which involved symptoms consistent with Celiac Disease among patient taking Benicar. Some of the conclusions of the Mayo Clinic study included:
- 100 percent of the patients experienced chronic diarrhea which lasted from 3-53 months
- 68 percent of the patients experienced vomiting and nausea
- 100 percent of the patients lost between 5 and 110 pounds
- 68 percent of the patients experienced extreme fatigue
- 41 percent of the patients experienced bloating
- 50 percent of the patients experienced pain in the abdomen
Contact Our National Benicar Lawsuit Attorneys
If you have been diagnosed with sprue-like enteropathy or GI complications like chronic diarrhea and/or significant weight loss after using Benicar, your injuries may be the result of a drug manufacturer's negligence. To learn more about your legal options or to schedule a free consultation with an attorney, please call the Philadelphia dangerous drug lawyers at Golomb Legaltoday at (215) 278-4449 or fill out our confidential Contact Form.
The national dangerous drug lawyers at Golomb Legalhave successfully represented individuals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and throughout the United States.