Benicar

Benicar, sold under the names Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, and Tribenzor, or generically as Olmesartan medoxomil, is prescribed to treat hypertension—high blood pressure. However, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that the drug causes sprue-like enteropathy, a condition which mimics the symptoms of celiac disease, including chronic diarrhea, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, dehydration, and cardiovascular complications. The disorder can lead to serious injury or death.

The link between Benicar and sprue-like enteropathy has been well established in medical studies. The connection was first identified in a large-scale study on celiac disease, and the benefits of a gluten free diet. Some number of the participants in the trial did not respond at all to the modified diet, and upon further investigation, researchers discovered that these non-responsive individuals were all taking Benicar. Their symptoms quickly disappeared when taken off the drug, and subsequently returned when the medication was continued.

Lawsuits claim drug manufacturer Daichi Sankyo failed to warn doctors and patients about the connection between Benicar and sprue-like enteropathy. The manufacturers of the drug have already resolved nearly $400 million in claims to date. Although the FDA now requires warnings on the drug’s packaging, many were injured without the benefit of knowing the potential risks.

If you or a loved one has experienced sprue-like enteropathy, or otherwise diagnosed with celiac disease, while taking Benicar, contact the dangerous drug attorneys at Neumann Law Group. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your claim.