Local Law Firm Releases Infographic on the Dangerous Drug Benicar

The Rhode Island defective drug attorneys at d’Oliveira & Associates have released an infographic about the dangers of the prescription drug Benicar. This is a medication that is used to control high blood pressure. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for sale. In 2012 alone, more than 10 million Benicar prescriptions were dispensed to about 2 million patients.

Benicar has caused serious side effects among users including sprue-like enteropathy, often misdiagnosed as Celiac’s Disease. While those suffering from Celiac’s Disease will benefit from removing gluten from their diets, those with sprue-like enteropathy will not get any relief from cutting out gluten.

The only treatment for the side effects they experience is to stop taking the drug. Our Benicar infographic aims to inform consumers about the potential side effects of taking Benicar, the studies that have linked the drug to sprue-like enteropathy, and actions that affected consumers and their families can take in order to protect their legal rights.

Benicar Side Effects

Sprue-like enteropathy and villous atrophy are both conditions that may occur as a result of taking Benicar. Patients with these conditions suffer damage of the intestinal lining. Symptoms include severe, chronic diarrhea and drastic weight loss. These complications often result in repeat hospitalizations and may in some cases cause severe health issues such as kidney failure, lymphoma and pancreatitis. These conditions can develop months or even years after starting Benicar. Patients taking Benicar have reported a number of side effects including:

• Severe, chronic diarrhea
• Substantial and unhealthy weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dehydration and fatigue
• Permanent intestinal damage
• Kidney failure

FDA Alerts and Studies

In July 2013, the FDA announced label changes to Benicar and its generic formulation, olmesartan. The agency now requires Benicar and its generic version to carry a warning saying that it can cause intestinal problems known as sprue-like enteropathy. A case report in Gastrointestinal Medicine in July 2014 stated that Benicar has been linked to a severe case of sprue-like enteropathy that caused colon perforation.

A French study linked the drug to a 10-fold increased risk of hospitalization for gastrointestinal symptoms compared to patients who are on other blood pressure drugs. A study published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics reported 36 cases of sprue-like enteropathy in patients who took Benicar. And most recently in January 2015, Daiichi Sankyo, the company that makes Benicar, paid $39 million to settle a lawsuit claiming that the manufacturers paid kickbacks to doctors so they would prescribe this drug.

Compensation for Victims

Those who have suffered adverse effects as a result of taking Benicar can seek compensation from the manufacturer for damages including medical bills, lost income, cost of hospitalization, permanent injury, disability, pain and suffering and other losses. An experienced Rhode Island Benicar attorney will be able to advise affected victims and their families regarding protecting their legal rights and options. Please call us toll free at 1-800-992-6878 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.