Michigan Benicar Lawyers
Over 11 million individuals with high blood pressure are prescribed the drug Benicar on an annual basis since it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. Benicar’s active ingredient is olmesartan medoxomil, which helps to keep an individual’s blood vessels open and dilated to decrease overall blood pressure.
While their blood pressure may be reduced, people taking Benicar may develop very serious side effects relating to the gastrointestinal system. The two most common intestinal conditions that can result from Benicar are called sprue-like enteropathy and villous atrophy. Sufferers experience symptoms such as chronic and severe diarrhea, rapid and significant weight loss, and malnutrition. Because of these symptoms, medical professionals often misdiagnose the issue as irritable bowel syndrome or as Celiac disease. In such cases of misdiagnosis, sufferers often continue taking Benicar and continue to suffer from these serious GI issues.
In addition to intestinal disease, some of the other symptoms experienced by Benicar users can include:
- Pain in the abdomen
- Pain in the chest
- Angioedema, which is rapid skin inflammation
- Hair loss
- Liver problems
- Arthritis
- Skin rashes
- Kidney failure
- Fetal toxicity in pregnant women
Benicar users have legal rights
In 2013, the FDA issued a safety warning specifically addressing the gastrointestinal effects of Benicar. In addition, many injured Benicar users have filed lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and some also against the promoter of the drug, Forest Laboratories, Inc. The legal claims allege that the manufacturer knowingly sold a dangerous drug that can cause injuries without adequately warning consumers of the risks of the product. In addition to wrongfully selling a dangerous pharmaceutical, Daiichi Sankyo recently settled a case with the United States Department of Justice that accused the company of providing unlawful kickbacks to medical professionals who wrote Benicar prescriptions.
At the law office of Michigan Injury Lawyers, we work to protect individuals against harmful pharmaceutical manufacturers like Daiichi Sankyo. These cases can be complicated, but we have the resources to stand up for your rights to recovery, so please call one of our Benicar attorneys at (888) 454-0801 for help today.