A new study supports allegations in recent Benicar lawsuits that have been filed by plaintiffs who allege they suffered diarrhea and other symptoms mimicking celiac disease. The evidence the study collected including sudden enteropathy as another Benicar side effect, and the researchers are urging doctors to be aware that these side effects could potentially be life-threatening.

Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) is a popular medication used to treat high blood pressure, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 and manufactured by Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories.

Despite being on the market for over a decade, concerns are growing about certain Benicar side effects, including long-term diarrhea, weight loss and other symptoms that cause doctors to misdiagnose these patients with having celiac disease.

Although the symptoms typically stop when the medication is ceased, the diarrhea problems have been reported to persist after Benicar is used, along with long term intestinal damage and possible fatal injuries.

Concerns regarding Benicar side effects were first raised from an independent study published in the medical journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings in July 2012, which highlighted 22 Benicar patients that ended coming down with celiac disease symptoms.

In this study, researchers analyzed data from previous studies stemming from 1965 to November 2013, and had also accounted for research conducted by the FDA. The data showed 22 cases of patients who appeared to have celiac disease, but had improved after being taken off Benicar.

The researchers also reviewed patients with seronegative villous atrophy from the Celiac Disease Center, which has recently determined that Benicar was linked to 22 percent of previously undetermined cases.

While the research gave no absolute conclusions, the scientists did say that they would advise that healthcare advisors prescribe an alternate medication to patients.

In 2013, the FDA issued a drug safety warning to the public and medical community concerning the Benicar side effects, with patients alleging dangerous and embarrassing side effects. The warning stated that patients who suffer Benicar side effects could experience potential intestinal damage, causing the small intestine to erode.

Long-term Benicar side effects of this medication can often leave patients with permanent digestive injuries, malnourishment, dehydration, and death in the most extreme cases. Due to the similarities celiac disease has with Benicar side effects, many patients have been misdiagnosed leading to damaging and unnecessary treatments.

Overview of Benicar IBS Complications

After the public became aware of the Benicar side effects, patients have filed Benicar lawsuits against Daiichi Sankyo because these patients were allegedly misdiagnosed with a condition they did not have. This led to expensive treatments, avoidable injuries, and other inconveniences.

Additionally, the Benicar side effects plaintiffs allege included severe intestinal damage, diarrhea, and dehydration. Due to the fact that these side effects were not mentioned on the drug’s label, many of these Benicar lawsuits allege negligence, false advertising, and concealing information.

Most of the litigation is currently pending in a New Jersey state court, which is the location of the American headquarters of Daiichi Sankyo. Benicar is prescribed to over 11 million patients a year. The Benicar side effects reportedly caused by blood pressure medication include:

• Severe and chronic diarrhea
• Substantial weight loss
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Sprue-like enteropathy
• Villous atrophy
• Other GI problems misdiagnosed as celiac symptoms

In general, Benicar lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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