Benicar® (olmesartan medoxomil) is a blood pressure medication created and sold by Daiichi Sankyo. High blood pressure is a condition which is associated with many complications, such as stroke, making its treatment a high priority by doctors.
Benicar, however, has been in the limelight over the last couple of years due to the side effects it causes, with sprue-like enteropathy being the most alarming and life-threatening one.
How Benicar Works
Benicar works by targeting certain receptors in the body associated with blood vessel constriction. Most of the time, blood pressure is complicated by narrowed blood vessels, putting a patient’s life in danger. Benicar also targets and controls the expression of a certain hormone called angiotensin, which causes vessels to dilate, thus alleviating high blood pressure.
Benicar Linked to Celiac-Like Complications
Continued use of Benicar can eventually lead to the development of serious side-effects which can sometimes be fatal. Sprue-like enteropathy closely resembles celiac disease, a condition which affects the gastrointestinal system that leads diarrhea, food intolerance and intestinal perforation.
A Mayo clinic study led by Dr. Joseph Murray looked at 22 patients who were taking Benicar and suffered from Celiac-disease-like symptoms. Their symptoms, however, did not lessen even when they were put on a gluten-free diet, a common type of dietary intervention to control the condition. Their gastrointestinal issues, however, only cleared up after they stopped taking Benicar.
Here are some of the symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy:
- Uncontrollable diarrhea
- Malnutrition due to poor nutrient absorption
- Excessive weight loss
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Immune system problems
- Cardiovascular complications.
Daiichi Sankyo Failed Consumers
Daiichi Sankyo, the makers of Benicar, were required to carry out extensive studies on this drug and report their findings to the FDA before having it approved for use by the general public. By failing in their responsibility to uphold a duty of care to consumers, it can be argued that patients who took Benicar and suffered sprue-like enteropathy have every right to seek legal redress to recover compensation for the complications they faced while on Benicar.
If you or a loved one took Benicar and suffered serious gastrointestinal side effects, you may have a legal right to compensation. Please call us today at 1-877-659-2580 for more free information.
