Hypertension is a dangerous health condition that is often controlled with the use of prescription drugs designed to lower blood pressure effectively. Benicar is a medication that is often prescribed to patients to treat these conditions. While many patients benefit from the drug, some patients have experienced severe gastrointestinal issues and other complications after taking the drug. Affected patients may be eligible to file an Alabama Benicar lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Alabama. We can answer your questions and help you determine whether you have a claim against the drug maker. You could be eligible to recover damages for your condition. If you choose to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can file a Benicar lawsuit on your behalf.
What Is Hypertension?
According to the University of Alabama in Birmingham, medical professionals measure blood pressure by determining how much force the blood pumped by the heart puts upon the walls of the arteries. When the heart has to pump more blood or if the arteries are narrow, then blood pressure can become too high, resulting in hypertension. When left untreated, this condition can damage the arteries, making them weak. Hypertension can also cause stroke or heart disease, as well as many other serious health conditions.
High blood pressure can be caused by a variety of reasons, including hormone levels, age, weight, genetics, the amount of salt present in the body and kidney disease. High blood pressure can be controlled by following a healthy diet, lowering salt intake and maintaining a healthy weight. However, in some cases medication is required to get systolic blood pressure below 140. There are several different types of hypertension medication available, with some working to remove salt or excess fluid from the body and others working to slow down the heart and widen blood vessels.
How Does Benicar Work?
Approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002, Benicar has become a popular option for controlling high blood pressure. Also called olmesartan medoxomil, Benicar is an angiotensin receptor blocker. This type of medication prevents the release of angiotensin II, a chemical in the body that can cause the blood vessels to narrow and tighten, increasing blood pressure. Benicar is designed to help the blood vessels relax and widen so that blood can flow more freely without the buildup of pressure.
Benicar Risks and Side Effects
In 2013, the FDA released a safety announcement warning doctors and patients of potential intestinal problems associated with Benicar. According to this drug safety communication, 23 patients had reported gastrointestinal symptoms so severe as to be confused with celiac disease. Called sprue-like enteropathy, these symptoms include chronic diarrhea, often accompanied with weight loss and hospitalization. When patients stopped taking Benicar, their symptoms began to subside.
The FDA safety announcement cited a study performed by the Mayo Clinic in 2012 that found 22 patients who took Benicar and exhibited sprue-like enteropathy reduced and even reversed their symptoms when they stopped taking the drug. In the study, the patients also reported the following side effects:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
The agency also stated that it would continue to monitor the situation and provide additional information to the public, if needed.
Alabama Benicar Lawsuit Filed
In September 2015, an Alabama couple joined thousands of other plaintiffs involved in a multidistrict litigation against Benicar’s manufacturer, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. According to the couple’s lawsuit, the husband began taking Benicar in 2010 to treat his hypertension. Eventually, he began experiencing serious side effects, including vomiting, nausea, dehydration and more. The couple claims that the drug’s side effects caused the husband to suffer personal injury, as well as economic loss due to his inability to work. The lawsuit also alleges that Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., concealed important information and warnings about the gastrointestinal side effects of Benicar from patients.
How An Alabama Benicar Lawsuit Attorney Can Help
Drug manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are accompanied by full and accurate instructions and warnings to guide prescribing doctors and other health care providers in making treatment decisions. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
Patients who have been injured by Benicar may be entitled to compensation for damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Loss of income or ability to work
If a patient dies from complications after taking Benicar, his or her family members may be able to pursue claims for their loved one’s wrongful death. Compensation may include:
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish from the loss of a loved one
- Loss of financial support of a loved one
- Funeral expenses
Affected patients are encouraged to speak with an Alabama Benicar lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
Contact Us For More Information
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Alabama.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
