FDA Issues Safety Warning for Benicar High Blood Pressure Drug
Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil), a prescription medication commonly used to treat high blood pressure, has recently been linked to significant health problems. In fact, in July 2013, the FDA warned that medications containing olmesartan, including Benicar, can cause chronic diarrhea, severe weight loss, and other gastrointestinal problems, also referred to as sprue-like enteropathy. The FDA warning came after the publication of various scientific studies discussing the relationship between olmesartan and gastrointestinal problems.
The FDA also warned that patients who have taken Benicar without incident could still be at risk, as the side effects are more likely to occur after longer exposure. If not diagnosed and treated, these side effects could require hospitalization. Discontinuation of the drug resulted in a reduction or elimination of symptoms for some patients.
In 2012 alone, approximately 10.6 million patients received prescriptions for Benicar and other blood pressure medications containing the drug olmesartan.
Since the FDA’s safety announcement, more than a dozen lawsuits have been filed against Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., the manufacturer of Benicar, and Forest Laboratories, Inc., the company that promoted the drug.
If you or a loved one has taken Benicar or another olmesartan-based drug and has been diagnosed with unexplained weight loss or gastrointestinal problems, contact us. Our product liability attorneys have litigated thousands of cases against drug manufacturers and have experience in helping seriously injured people obtain compensation for their damages. Call or email us for a free case evaluation and to learn of your legal rights and options.
