Benicar was developed in 1995 for the treatment of hypertension or high
blood pressure and was approved for use by the FDA in 2002. From 2002
to 2008, pharmaceutical maker Daiichi Sankyo spent nearly $1 billion promoting
the product and making claims that their drug was safe and more effective
than other hypertensive drugs on the market. Yet the use of this drug
has now been linked to severe intestinal problems, chronic diarrhea, and
a severe condition known as sprue-like enteropathy.
Our national dangerous drug lawsuit attorneys at Golomb & Honik, P.C.
are currently investigating Benicar claims. If you or someone you love
has been diagnosed with sprue-like enteropathy or other severe gastrointestinal
problems after taking Benicar, call us at (215) 278-4449. We would be
happy to review your case free of charge. Fill out a complimentary
case evaluation form to get started!
Severe Complications from Benicar
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently warned consumers in 2013
that the use of Benicar could cause severe gastrointestinal problems,
including:
- Villous Atrophy
- Malnourishment
- Dehydration
- Chronic diarrhea
- Malnutrition
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Sprue-like enteropathy
- Weight loss
- And more
What is Sprue-like Enteropathy?
The most serious gastrointestinal complication experienced by patients
taking Benicar is sprue-like enteropathy. This severe GI disorder can
cause serious symptoms, such as severe, chronic diarrhea, substantial
weight loss, and malnutrition. To make matters worse, this condition may
take years to develop and be diagnosed and is often mistaken for Celiac
disease or gluten intolerance. By the time sprue-like enteropathy is diagnosed,
patients are sick, malnourished, and often hospitalized.
Link Between Benicar & Sprue-like Enteropathy
Benicar has been marketed as Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, Tribenzor, and
the generic name olmesartan medoxomil. In 2012, researchers from the Mayo
Clinic uncovered the link between Benicar and sprue-like enteropathy.
They found that over a 3-year period, at least 22 patients taking Benicar
were admitted with celiac disease symptoms-yet further testing did not
support this diagnosis. When those patients were removed from their Benicar,
however, the symptoms ceased. Those patients who reported suffering from
Celiac like symptoms had diarrhea for up to 53 months and had lost between
5 and 110 pounds from GI complications. They had also experienced rounds
of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Months later, scientists at the AmericanCollege of Gastroenterology found
that the active ingredient in Benicar, olmesartan, was also linked to
sprue-like enteropathy and debilitating GI symptoms in over 40 patients.
In 2013, the FDA required Daiichi Sankyo to update their labels to reflect
these findings and warned the public of Benicar’s dangers.
We Can Help with Your Benicar Lawsuit - Call (215) 278-4449
In 2014, Benicar lawsuits began to be filed in the New Jersey state courts
citing failure to warn and other negligence by Daiichi Sankyo. The first
lawsuit was filed on behalf of a patient who was forced to spend 100 days
hospitalized because of his GI issues. He suffered cataracts, compression
fractures, and severe malnutrition and must now be fed through a feeding
tube. His lawsuit alleges that the company continued to put consumers
at risk by not adequately warning of the dangers associated with using
their drug. It also alleges that Daiichi Sankyo failed to adequately test
their product before introducing it to the public.
You have a right to seek justice if you or someone you love has been diagnosed
with sprue-like enteropathy or experienced severe gastrointestinal complications
after taking Benicar. Drug companies that routinely put profits before
people should pay for their negligence-and their unscrupulous behavior.
Contact us at (215) 278-4449 or fill out our confidential contact form.