North Carolina Benicar Lawyers

Have You Suffered Serious Side Effects from Taking Benicar?

A high blood pressure medication marketed as Benicar has been shown to cause severe gastrointestinal distress. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that the medication can cause intestinal problems. The symptoms include chronic diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal inflammation, and significant weight loss. The symptoms can start months or years after starting the medication and may require hospitalization. The diarrhea symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy may resolve with discontinuance of Benicar, the effects can also include permanent damage to the intestines known as villous atrophy, which causes malabsorbtion/malnutrition.

If you have been prescribed Benicar or a similar medication containing olmesartan and experienced these kinds of gastrointestinal (GI) problems, you may be able to seek compensation for your pain, suffering, and related medical expenses. The GI side effects of Benicar (olmesartan) are similar to those of celiac disease. You may have received an incorrect diagnosis.

If you have suffered severe GI side effects from Benicar, please contact our dangerous drug lawyers today! Our attorneys can review your case, free of charge, and advise you of the legal options available.

Evidence Of Severe GI Reaction to Benicar

Olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker, or ARB, a popular class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. It is made by a company called Daiichi Sankyo and sold under the names Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, and Tribenzor, as well as in other generic versions. It may be prescribed alone or with other drugs.

According to the FDA, about 1.2 million Americans were written prescriptions for medications containing olmesartan in 2012.

In 2013, the FDA warned that olmesartan (sometimes called “olmesartan medoxomil”) can cause intestinal problems known as sprue-like enteropathy (intestinal disease). Symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy include severe, chronic diarrhea with substantial weight loss.

Prior to the FDA’s warning, a study published by the Mayo Clinic cited similar problems with olmesartan. It involved 22 patients evaluated between 2008 and 2011 for unexplained chronic diarrhea and enteropathy while taking olmesartan. Celiac disease was ruled out in each case. Every patient suffered from long-lasting diarrhea and weight loss that ceased when they stopped taking the medication. Many patients also experienced nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, and fatigue. The patients all improved after they stopped taking the medication containing olmesartan.

After additional investigation, the Mayo Clinic researchers identified more cases among the clinic’s patient records. Additional reports from other medical centers and individual patients raised a total patient count to more than 60.

Legal Action for Pain and Suffering Caused by Benicar

About 70 million Americans – one in every three adults – have high blood pressure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Millions of them have been prescribed an ARB drug like Benicar (olmesartan).

Drug manufacturers have a legal responsibility to make and market medications that are safe and effective when used as directed and to provide adequate warning of known side effects.

If you have taken the drug olmesartan according to a prescription for Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, or Tribenzor and suffered severe GI distress, we would like to hear from you. We may be able to help you pursue a claim against the drug manufacturer. You may be able to obtain compensation for your medical expenses, lost income from missed work, and for your pain and suffering.

Contact a Benicar Side Effects Attorney

If you reside in North Carolina and have been injured by Benicar or a similar blood pressure medication containing olmesartan, you may be entitled to compensation. For 30 years, the lawyers of Hardison & Cochran have defended those injured or killed because of harmful prescription drugs. We can investigate your case and have it reviewed by our network of medical experts. From there, we can press hard for the compensation you deserve.

Hardison & Cochran serves victims of faulty drugs throughout the state of North Carolina, including, but not limited to, Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Fayetteville. Contact us today for a free initial legal consultation.

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