Across the country patients have been complaining of the gastrointestinal side effects from Benicar, alleging the drug caused them permanent gastrointestinal damage and severe weight loss.

Patients also allege they have incurred chronic nutrition absorption problems due to the gastrointestinal side effects from Benicar, and must be on constant watch against malnourishment.

Benicar (olmesartan) was approved by the FDA in 2002, to be a treatment medication for hypertension and high blood pressure.

Since its release, Benicar has become one of the most popular medications for patients with high blood pressure and are at risk for cardiac disease.

Benicar works by preventing angiotensin II receptors from tightening the blood vessels, and causes the vessels to dilate and alleviate blood pressure. This ultimately makes blood easier to pump in the heart, lowering the chances of cardiac attack or disease.

However patients and prescribing physicians are becoming increasingly wary of the drug, due to the reported gastrointestinal side effects from Benicar.

The FDA had recently called for a label update for Benicar, calling for Daiichi Sankyo to mention that the drug was linked to serious gastrointestinal complications, like villous atrophy and sprue-like enteropathy.

Overview of Benicar Gastrointestinal Side Effects

Previously in July 2013, the FDA issued a public warning that patients could potentially suffer serious gastrointestinal side effects from Benicar. The agency issued this warning after reviewing a study by the Mayo Clinic, which showed significant evidence of a correlation.

The Mayo Clinic study was published in August 2012, which analyzed 22 Benicar patients who were suffering symptoms of Celiac disease. These Benicar-induced symptoms included chronic diarrhea to abdominal pain, which got better or ceased in patients after the medication was discontinued.

While medications should never be discontinued without the approval and supervision of a physician, patients have reported their Benicar symptoms improved when they ceased taking the drug.

The gastrointestinal side effects from Benicar reported by patients include:

• Rapid Weight Loss
• Chronic Diarrhea
• Sprue Like Enteropathy
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Villous Atrophy
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Compromised Immunity Strength

Sprue-like enteropathy cases may cause autoimmune complications in the small intestine, leading to severe gastrointestinal issues.

In the most severe cases, chronic intestinal damage can occur and cause permanent nutrition absorption problems in patients. Called villous atrophy, the wall of the small intestine can deteriorate and interfere with the patient’s nutritional health.

Patients who may have experienced gastrointestinal side effects from Benicar may be able to file legal action against Daiichi Sankyo for failure to warn. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine eligibility for a Benicar lawsuit.