Benicar Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) is a popular angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) drug prescribed to treat millions of patients with high blood pressure. But Daiichi Sankyo—the global pharmaceutical company that produces Benicar—is facing a growing number of lawsuits from patients who experienced severe gastrointestinal (GI) side effects while taking the drug.
If you took Benicar and suffered GI symptoms requiring medical attention or were diagnosed with sprue-like enteropathy or celiac disease, Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel wants to help. Our drug injury lawyers have collected hundreds of millions of dollars* for patients harmed by pharmaceutical company negligence, and we’re ready to fight for you. We’re available 24/7 to help you—just dial (888) 485-8844 or complete our free online form.
Sprue-Like Enteropathy and Benicar GI Problems
One of eight ARB drugs on the market, Benicar is the only medication of its type linked to sprue-like enteropathy, a GI condition with symptoms including severe, chronic diarrhea and rapid weight loss. The condition can take months or years to develop after taking Benicar, and it can be severe enough to require hospitalization.
Other gastrointestinal side effects that may be linked to taking Benicar include:
- Celiac disease
- Chronic diarrhea
- Rapid weight loss
- Intestinal inflammation
- Vomiting
- Electrolyte abnormalities
$300 Million Benicar Settlement
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, and Forest Laboratories Inc. will pay a $300 million settlement for defects associated with Benicar. In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) addressed Benicar’s risk of causing severe sprue-like enteropathy, which often causes significant weight loss and severe or chronic diarrhea. Nearly two dozen cases of late-onset diarrhea were reported, but the potential for many other cases prompted the centralization of 15 lawsuits in New Jersey federal court.
The lawsuits accused Daiichi Sankyo Company of defective manufacturing practices and failing to disclose Benicar’s dangerous side effects, which include nausea, weight loss, and diarrhea. Forest Laboratories is being held liable for helping Daiichi promote the drug.
FDA Approves Benicar Label Change
In July 2013, the FDA warned that olmesartan medoxomil—marketed as Benicar, Benicar HCT®, Azor®, and Tribenzor®—can cause sprue-like enteropathy. Benicar’s drug label was updated to include this warning, and the FDA recommended that patients who develop symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy seek alternative blood pressure treatments.
Get Help With Your Benicar Lawsuit
Don’t face the pharmaceutical company alone if you took Benicar and suffered gastrointestinal side effects requiring medical treatment or hospitalization. At Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel, our drug injury lawyers have a national reputation for holding large corporations accountable for their negligence, and we’ll work hard to get you compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. Don’t delay getting the representation you deserve. Call or contact us online today.
Benicar®, Benicar HCT®, Azor®, and Tribenzor® are registered trademarks of Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, and are used here only for the purpose of identifying the products in question.
This law firm is not associated with, sponsored by, or affiliated with Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Forest Laboratories Inc., or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Do not stop taking a prescription medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor’s advice can result in injury or death.
Cases may be referred to another attorney or law firm.
*Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Avandia gross settlements; attorney fees and expenses deducted.