A Washington Benicar lawsuit may be an option for patients who have suffered severe side effects after taking the blood pressure medication. 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 Washington Benicar lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Washington. 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 Benicar lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Treatment of Hypertension
Though the daily fluctuation of the heart’s blood pumping level is not out of the ordinary, a consistently elevated force of pressure may be indicative of serious hypertension, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though high blood pressure may not be evident and can often by completely asymptomatic, patients who are examined and found to have high blood pressure may be more likely to suffer from related and complex health issues, such as stroke and heart disease.
According to the United Health Foundation, Washington State ranks No. 16 in the nation by the number of adult individuals who claim to suffer from hypertension. Many people in the state, as well as nationwide, choose to opt for pharmaceutical medications to help reduce their high blood pressure.
By opening and loosening the body’s veins, arteries and vessels in which blood is pumped, prescription medications such as Benicar help to reduce the amount of force that the heart must exert, thereby lowering overall blood pressure levels, says Everyday Health. Benicar, also known as olmesartan, is an angiotensin II receptor blocker and may lead to a number of both common and rare side effects, ranging from dizziness to muscle discomfort to blood pressure levels that are too low.
Benicar and Sprue-Like Enteropathy
MedPage Today states that there are at least seven angiotensin II receptor blockers that are in current use against hypertension and have passed U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, including Benicar. However, a serious gastrointestinal side effect known as sprue-like enteropathy has been connected with Benicar alone.
As of 2012, more than 60 incidents of sprue-like enteropathy, which closely mimics gluten-triggered celiac disease in its symptoms but is not resolved by a gluten-free diet, had been tracked and linked to the use of Benicar. Dramatic and unhealthy weight loss, ongoing severe diarrhea and general stomach distress are three of the most common issues associated with sprue-like enteropathy.
Reports of these side effects prompted the FDA to approve changes to Benicar’s labeling to include the risk of sprue-like enteropathy. The FDA also cautions health care providers to discontinue Benicar usage in those patients exhibiting these symptoms with no underlying cause. However, properly diagnosing drug-induced sprue-like enteropathy can be difficult, as symptoms may not appear for many years until after starting a Benicar regimen.
Other Benicar Side Effects
In addition to intestinal complications, Medline Plus lists the following Benicar side effects:
- Unexplained swelling (which can affect the face, tongue, hands, feet and lower legs)
- Hoarseness
- Trouble breathing and/or swallowing
- Fainting/lightheadedness
There is also a possibility of adverse reactions to other types of blood pressure drugs, as well as common supplements and pain killers. Additionally, patients with diseases of the heart, liver or kidneys are cautioned to inform their doctor before taking the drug.
Benicar Lawsuits Filed
Some patients injured when taking Benicar have opted to file lawsuits claiming the manufacturer, Daiichi Sankyo, was negligent in not disclosing all potential side effects of the drug. This lack of disclosure prevented both patients as well as the medical community from making informed decisions regarding whether the benefit of the drug would be worth the associated risk.
How a Washington Benicar Lawsuit Attorney Can Help
Drug makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by bad drugs may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Washington. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to 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 or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
