South Carolina Benicar Lawsuit

Woman holding her Stomach | South Carolina Benicar Lawsuit
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Some patients who have been prescribed the blood pressure medication Benicar claim that they experienced severe gastrointestinal side effects and other complications, including chronic diarrhea, and that the side effects have become serious issues, even requiring hospitalization. Affected patients may be eligible to file a South Carolina Benicar lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries.

For more information, contact Attorney Group for South Carolina. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.

The time you have to pursue a claim is limited. Contact us for more information.Get Help Now.

High Blood Pressure Basics

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure occurs when the force of the blood in the body’s blood vessels is higher than it should be. When blood pressure remains at an elevated level for an extended period of time, blood vessels can begin to loose elasticity, making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood through the body.

According to Hands on Health South Carolina, nearly one in four American adults has high blood pressure, though many are unaware. Because there are virtually no symptoms, the condition can go undiagnosed for a long time, which can lead to damage to the heart, blood vessels and other organs. Left untreated, hypertension can cause heart attack, stroke and vision loss.

What Is Benicar?

Some people with high blood pressure are able to get it under control by changing their lifestyle. They may be able to add exercise to their daily routine or change their eating habits and see a significant reduction in their blood pressure. However, some people need the help of prescription medication. One class of medication that has been found to be effective in lowering blood pressure is called an angiotensin II receptor blocker. Benicar belongs to this class of drugs, which have the ability to block the release of the hormone angiotensin II into the bloodstream, according to the drug’s prescription information. Preventing the release of angiotensin II works to keep the blood vessels from constricting, allowing for a better flow of blood throughout the body.

Benicar and the FDA

In 2012, the Mayo Clinic released a study that linked the use of Benicar to sprue-like enteropathy, a gastrointestinal condition similar to celiac disease. The study looked at 22 patients who entered the hospital with complaints of serious gastrointestinal distress, all of whom had their symptoms reverse once they stopped taking Benicar.

Following the study, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluated 23 adverse event reports submitted to the agency and as a result released a safety announcement warning of the potential risks associated with Benicar use. The safety announcement required Benicar’s manufacturers to change the drug’s labeling to provide warning information to include sprue-like enteropathy.

Benicar Lawsuits Filed

Currently, the makers of Benicar, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and Forest Laboratories, face several lawsuits alleging that patients who took the drug to treat their hypertension ended up hospitalized for severe gastrointestinal distress. Many of the plaintiffs claim that they experienced chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, significant weight loss and long term effects while taking the medication and that the symptoms ceased once they discontinued their prescription.

Benicar was first released for public use in 2002, which has many plaintiffs involved in lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturers questioning whether the companies knew about the risks for injury and did not adequately warn patients and medical professionals.

How a South Carolina Benicar Lawsuit Attorney Can Help

Worried Man | South Carolina Benicar LawsuitDrug 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
  • The permanency of the injury
  • 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

Patients who have suffered severe side effects after taking Benicar, as well as the families of those who have died as a result of complications with the drug, are encouraged to seek the advice of a South Carolina Benicar lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.

The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.

 For more information, contact Attorney Group for South Carolina. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.

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.

See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for South Carolina today.