Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil)—also marketed as Benicar HCT, Azor, and Tribenzor—is a prescription medication used to help control blood pressure. This drug works by blocking receptors for angiotensin, a hormone that causes blood vessel constriction and increased blood pressure. It can be prescribed alone or in combination with other medications.
Between 2011 and 2013, Benicar was one of the top 100 prescribed drugs in the United States as reported by IMS Health (Midas). In July of 2013, though, warnings about severe side effects from Benicar were issued, causing many to seek the consultation of an experienced attorney for help. A Benicar lawyer may be able to help you if you have suffered severe side effects from the use of this FDA-approved medication.
FDA-Approved Drugs Lacking Safety
Federal law requires that all medications must be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before becoming available to the general public. However, FDA approval does not necessarily mean that a drug is 100 percent safe under all circumstances.
Under 21 CFR 807 Subpart E, the FDA allows manufacturers of medical drugs and devices to apply for the 510(k) premarket program. This program gives these manufacturers the opportunity to bring their prescription medication onto the market with only limited testing, as long as a similar product has already been placed on the market for use. For more information, get in touch with a Benicar lawyer today. Call the Lafayette personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Laborde Earles for a free consultation.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientProblems Linked to Benicar
When a medication is hurried onto the market, sufficient time for testing to reveal problems or issues may not be given. While this may be okay for some drugs, for others—like Benicar—it turns out to be a serious reason for concern. Benicar has been linked to serious gastrointestinal problems as well as cardiovascular risks in diabetic patients.
Between 2008 and 2011, doctors at the Mayo Clinic saw a notable increase in the number of patients who were being seen for symptoms similar to those of celiac disease. After putting the patients on a gluten-free diet, no improvement was seen. However, after stopping Benicar therapy, the symptoms diminished or disappeared.
Sprue-like enteropathy is the most widely reported problem associated with Benicar. Symptoms of this condition are similar to celiac disease symptoms and include severe diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, and fatigue.
Due to the severity of these symptoms, many people were hospitalized as a direct result of taking Benicar. In some cases, these symptoms began months or even years after a patient started Benicar therapy. Even worse, patients who were on this medication for a long time are still at risk due to the possible delayed onset of sprue-like enteropathy.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientTalk to a Benicar Attorney Today
If you experienced severe symptoms, pain, or even hospitalization after taking Benicar, a Benicar lawyer may be able to help you. An experienced and compassionate attorney could seek to understand how Benicar usage has affected your life and provide you with hope that your life can get better through a successful civil suit.
You may be able to obtain a monetary award for your medical bills related to Benicar use, lost wages, and decreased quality of life as well as your pain and suffering. To learn more about your rights after taking Benicar, call today to schedule a consultation.
