Benicar Lawsuit Information

A growing number of patients have filed a Benicar lawsuit against the drug's manufacturers. These lawsuits claim that the blood-pressure drug caused serious intestinal problems and other complications. Read on to learn more about the problems associated with Benicar and the lawsuits that have been files as a result.

Benicar Overview

Benicar is a prescription medication for treating high blood pressure. Also called Olmesartan, the drug is made and sold by Forest Laboratories and Daiichi Sankyo. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Benicar for commercial sale in April 2002. Since then it has become the most widely prescribed blood pressure medication in the country.

Benicar is an angiotension II receptor blocker (ARB). Many patients can trace their high blood pressure to the effects of angiotension II, which can cause blood vessels to narrow. Benicar is designed to block angiotension II, allowing a patient's blood vessels to expand. This can reduce blood pressure.

Women who are pregnant should normally avoid Benicar. The FDA classifies it as a category D pregnancy drug, meaning that Benicar poses a health risk to the human fetus. However, there may be some situations when pregnant women continue to use Benicar under a doctor's care.

Benicar's Problems

You should be aware of some Benicar side effects. The most common is dizziness. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and coughing follow close behind. Patients who experience any of these symptoms should contact their doctor.

There are more serious injuries associated with Benicar as well. Some patients who took Benicar report developing serious intestinal problems. Chronic diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, severe weight loss, and malnutrition are signs that something may be wrong. Many patients require hospitalization, and some develop more serious complications. Both patients and doctors have reported cases where stopping Benicar use caused patients to recover.

Such a link has not escaped the notice of doctors and government regulators. A 2012 article published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings concluded that Benicar is associated with a serious intestinal condition called severe spruelike enteropathy. This led the FDA to revise Benica's drug label. Since July 2013, the label warns patients about the risk of severe spruelike enteropathy.

There are some other, less-well established Benicar concerns. The FDA has reviewed studies that found taking Benicar increases the risk of cancer in some patients. Other clinical trials have found that taking Benicar can lead to an increased risk of death from heart problems among diabetes patients. While these findings have prompted further review, no significant action has yet occurred.

Benicar Lawsuit Information

A growing number of patients who were injured after taking Benicar have sued the manufacturers. So far, patients who suffered intestinal problems have filed many Benicar lawsuits. These patients suffer from chronic diarrhea, severe weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. Often they require hospitalization to determine the cause of their ailment. Afterward, long-term medical care might be necessary. Expensive medical bills, lost income from time off work, and emotional distress can take its toll on patients and their financial stability. These lawsuits seek to recover those costs and more.

Injured patients can sue the manufacturers of dangerous and defective products because of an area of law known as product liability. These lawsuits can accomplish a number of things. Patients can recover compensation for their injuries and hold manufacturers accountable. In addition, the public may become aware of a dangerous and defective product. Finally, manufacturers often fix a product that's the subject of so many suits. Some may remove a troubled product from the market altogether. Product liability lawsuits play an important role in ensuring the safety and reliability of consumer products like pharmaceutical drugs.

Most Benicar lawsuits claim that Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories knew or should have known about the risk of intestinal problems. They claim that the companies failed to warn patients about the risk, and should be found liable. Other common product liability claims have been put forward as part of the ongoing effort to recover compensation for injured patients.

Get a Legal Claim Review Today

If you or someone you know has suffered serious injuries after taking Benicar, consider speaking with an attorney. Patients may be entitled to compensation for their injuries under product liability law. A product liability laywer can evaluate your case and advise you of your legal options. Contact an experienced attorney for a claim review.