Benicar (Olmesartan) is one of the most popular hypertension medication used in the United States, prescribed to millions of Americans suffering from high blood pressure.

However there have been a number of digestive problems reported in conjunction with Benicar side effects, with patients alleging they suffered permanent gastrointestinal damage.

Benicar was approved by the FDA in 2002, to be a blood pressure treatment medication for adult patients who may be at risk for cardiovascular events. Benicar works by inhibiting the angiotensin-II protein, which allows the blood vessels to dilate and to decrease pressure on the heart’s circulation system.

Manufacturing company Daiichi Sankyo had advertised Benicar to be superior to other medications in its class, but allegedly failed to mention the bowel problems associated with Benicar side effects.

Patients have reported suffering bowel problems as early as four months after starting Benicar, and had exhibited symptoms similar to celiac disease.

Overview of Benicar Side Effects

In July 2013, the FDA had issued a public warning stating that Benicar and other Olmesartan based medications may cause serious intestinal problems like sprue-like enteropathy.

The agency warned against symptoms like: severe diarrhea, serious weight loss, and electrolyte imbalance.

This warning came in light of several recent studies, which indicated Benicar may be causing digestive problems in patients.

The Mayo Clinic had published a study in August 2012, which identified dozens of patients suffering from bowel problems and other celiac disease symptoms between 2008 and 2011.

Researchers noticed that once patients stopped taking Benicar the celiac symptoms improved, which led researchers to suspect Benicar could cause gastrointestinal problems.

Two months after this study was published, researchers from the American College of Gastroenterology had identified 40 patients who were using Olmesartan based medications and had developed sprue-like enteropathy.

Similar to the Mayo Clinic study, none of the patients suffering from digestive problems tested positive for celiac disease. Researchers have noted that Benicar can erode the intestinal wall in some patients, leading to digestive and even chronic intestinal problems in the most serious cases.

Villous atrophy is a chronic gastrointestinal condition, which prevents the body from properly absorbing nutrients in food and is a condition the patient has to permanently contend with.

A number of patients had been misdiagnosed with celiac disease, leading to unnecessary treatments and prolonged Benicar prescriptions.

These alleged Benicar side effects were not added to the medication label until July 2013, with the agency calling these gastrointestinal problems “life threatening”.

Many patients had to be hospitalized for extreme weight loss and nutrition absorption problems, allegedly due to Benicar side effects.

Patients who have been injured by Benicar digestive problems may be able to file legal action against Daiichi Sankyo, for failing to warn them against the drug’s side effects.

Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine if they have a Benicar lawsuit.