Benicar
UPDATE: August 3, 2017
On August 1, 2017, Daiichi Sankyo, the manufacturer of Benicar, agreed to a $300 million settlement for failing to warn consumers that Benicar could cause gastrointestinal illness and injury.
If you have suffered serious injury from taking Benicar, there is still time to file a claim and receive compensation for your injuries from this settlement.
In order to qualify, you must have used Benicar prior to May 1, 2015. If you suffered diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, or weight loss, you will likely be eligible for compensation.
The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, August 23, 2017.
If you are interested with moving forward with your case, please contact our office by no later than August 23. You can find out more information about the settlement by clicking here.
The following is our original article regarding the adverse side effects many have experienced from taking Benicar.
DISCLAIMER: Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your use of any FDA-approved drug or device.
Benicar, which was first approved by the FDA in 2002, is a regularly prescribed drug used to treat high blood pressure. However, new studies have uncovered a clear link between Benicar and side effects that resemble the symptoms of Celiac disease.
Benicar Side Effects Similar to Celiac Disease
In July of 2013, the FDA released a statement warning consumers and doctors about the possibility of Benicar causing chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and permanent gastrointestinal damage. This would not be anything particularly interesting if it weren’t for the fact that chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and permanent gastrointestinal all also happen to be symptoms of Celiac disease.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body perceives gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, as a foreign invader. This invokes an immune system response in which the body attacks the intestines in an attempt to rid itself of the gluten. The most common treatment for Celiac disease is a diet change. Those suffering from this disorder adhere to a strict diet which eliminates gluten. This form of treatment has had some success, and may help alleviate the problems associated with the disorder.
Misdiagnosis May Have Resulted in Villous Atrophy
However, what researchers have discovered is that doctors, being unaware of the potential side effects of Benicar, have been diagnosing patients taking Benicar with Celiac disease to clear up symptoms that were in fact the result of Benicar. Gone untreated, both Celiac disease and side effects associated with Benicar can result in villous atrophy.
Villous atrophy is an irreversible condition resulting in a reduction in digestive capabilities which often leads to chronic dehydration, malnutrition, and a weakened immune system. The worst part of all this is that users of Benicar misdiagnosed as having Celiac disease may have done exactly what the doctor asked by eliminating gluten from their diet, but may still have suffered from symptoms and even developed villous atrophy.
It may also be worth noting that studies have shown gluten-free products are much more expensive than the regular versions of the products. In fact, patients adhering to a gluten-free diet on average pay 250% more than they would for regular food products. This means that patients who took Benicar and were misdiagnosed may have cut gluten out of their diet per doctor’s orders, paid significantly more for groceries, still suffered from disagreeable symptoms, and even developed villous atrophy.
A growing number of claims have been filed by those who have suffered the symptoms discussed while taking Benicar. Many claim if they would have known about the potential side effects, they would have stopped taking the drug and could have avoided permanent damage to their gastrointestinal tract. Now it will be up to the plaintiffs to prove that the makers of Benicar knew about the side effects, but didn’t adequately notify patients and doctors about the risks.
Have You Been Injured After Taking Benicar? Get Help Now
If you or a loved one has been injured after taking Benicar, contact a dangerous drug attorney at Hensley Legal Group today. We are available to answer your questions 24/7. Call us today or contact us online.
DISCLAIMER: Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your use of any FDA-approved drug or device.