The side effects of Benicar can include severe gastrointestinal issues.

Daiichi Sankyo’s Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) was approved by the FDA in 2002 to treat high blood pressure.

Benicar belongs to the ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) class of blood pressure medicines that block the activity of angiotensin-II in the cardiovascular system.

The liver generates angiotensin-II, a protein that causes blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure. When blood pressure is too high, the heart works harder to pump blood and oxygen through the body.

High blood pressure can damage other organs, such as the kidneys.

When Benicar blocks the production of angiotensin-II, the result is lower blood pressure because the blood vessels don’t constrict blood flow.

The active ingredient, olmesartan, is both the cure and the curse in Benicar. While it lowers blood pressure, olmesartan causes colitis-like symptoms and other gastrointestinal side effects.

Blood Pressure Control, But Digestive Issues Can Be Costly

One of the worst side effects of Benicar is sprue-like enteropathy, a condition that mimics celiac disease.

Sprue-like enteropathy symptoms include severe, chronic diarrhea and substantial weight loss. A blood test can eliminate Celiac disease as the cause.

In July 2013, the FDA insisted that Benicar add a warning that side effects could include sprue-like enteropathy.

The FDA’s decision to add the sprue-like enteropathy warning was due in large part to a study done by the Mayo Clinic. Patients in that study who were thought to have celiac disease all tested negative for it.

Researchers found the patients had been taking Benicar or other olmesartan-based drugs. Fourteen of the 22 patients examined ended up in the hospital with gastrointestinal complications.

In May 2013, The American Journal of Gastroenterology published a report that said patients who tested negative for celiac disease were shown to have villous atrophy from Benicar.

Once the patients stopped taking Benicar, they were able to gain weight and colitis symptoms subsided.

What Is Villous Atrophy?

The walls of our intestines are covered by villi, tiny tentacle-like growths that absorb nutrients from the foods we eat.

Side effects of Benicar can include villous atrophy, in which those villi have eroded away and the insides of the intestines are so smooth that they can no longer absorb nutrients. The result is malnourishment.

Side Effects of Benicar Can Take Years to Develop

An estimated 67 million Americans fight high blood pressure. Some patients take Benicar for years before they link their gastrointestinal complications to the blood pressure drug.

Other Benicar side effects reported in clinical trials and post-market reports include:

• Rash
• Irregular heart beat
• Chest pain
• Arthritis
• Hair loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Liver and kidney problems
• Angioedema (skin swelling)

If you or someone you know has taken Benicar and developed severe gastrointestinal complications, you could benefit from a Benicar lawsuit to assist you with medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other losses.