Millions of Americans use medications containing the drug olmesartan medoxomil to lower their blood pressure. Olmesartan medoxomil is more commonly known by its brand names, including:
- Benicar
- Benicar HCT
- Azor
- Tribenzor
Benicar has been linked to severe and dangerous side effects in many patients. If you or a loved one took Benicar or any other type of medication containing olmesartan medoxomil and suffered severe gastrointestinal distress, you may be entitled to compensation.
Call Henson Fuerst right away or fill out a free consultation form online to learn how our North Carolina Drug Injury attorneys may be able to help.
Dangerous Side Effects
Benicar is part of a class of drugs known as an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). ARB medications like Benicar have been linked to severe gastrointestinal disorders, including a condition known as sprue-like enteropathy.
In extreme cases, sprue-like enteropathy brought on by an adverse reaction to ARB medications can require hospitalization. Often, symptoms of this condition may not develop until months, or even years, after a patient begins taking Benicar.
Symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy include:
- Severe, chronic diarrhea
- Substantial weight loss
- Villous atrophy – damage to the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from the food you eat
One of the dangers of sprue-like enteropathy is that it is often misdiagnosed. The symptoms can easily be confused with other health conditions including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Celiac Disease, better known as gluten intolerance.
FDA Warnings
In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Drug Safety Communication announcing that it had established clear evidence of a link between drugs containing olmesartan medoxomil and the development of sprue-like enteropathy in patients.
The FDA added warning labels to these medications advising patients and doctors of the high risk of severe gastrointestinal side effects. Sprue-like enteropathy caused by use of Benicar can lead to dangerous levels of weight loss in some patients.
Despite the clear dangers associated with Benicar, more than 10 million prescriptions for drugs containing olmesartan medoxomil were issued in 2012 alone. This means that thousands of patients may be at risk of developing sprue-like enteropathy after taking Benicar.
Henson Fuerst is Here to Help
If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries after taking Benicar or any other type of dangerous or defective drug, call Henson Fuerst right away at (919) 781-1107 or fill out a free consultation form online.
When you call, you will speak with an experienced North Carolina Drug Injury attorney absolutely FREE. Our legal team will review every detail of your situation at no cost to you and fight hard to secure the maximum recovery for your injuries.
At Henson Fuerst, we have extensive experience standing up to major drug manufacturers on behalf of our clients. When we take your case, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front, and we don’t get paid until you do.
