FDA Warns of Benicar, Azor and Tribenzor Side Effects Causing Gastrointestinal Problems

Pendley, Baudin & Coffin is currently evaluating cases involving Benicar (Olmesartan medoxomil), Azor and Tribenzor, medications prescribed for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). These drugs can result in sprue-like enteropathy which is a gastrointestinal problem. Users may have suffered years of chronic diarrhea, vomiting, severe pain and weight loss. Many of the side effects resemble symptoms of Celiac Disease.

In 2013, the FDA required new warnings about the side effect of sprue-enteropathy. This FDA warning came 10 years after Benicar was approved and after the 2012 Mayo Clinic Report. This report noticed that over a period of three years, a number of patients taking Benicar experienced Celiac Disease type symptoms, but blood test did not indicate Celiac Disease. When the patients quit taking Benicar their symptoms improved. Daiichi Sankyo, the pharmaceutical company which sells Benicar, conducted clinical trials which only followed patients for a short period of time. Daiichi Sankyo knew or should have known of the side effects, and their labeling did not warn of these possible side effects until the recent FDA warning.

Benicar is a hypertension drug known as an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Other blood pressure drugs that contain the same ingredient are Azor and Tribenzor, these are also sold by Daiichi Sankyo. Failure to warn of the severe adverse side effects for years may have caused users to suffer:

- Chronic Diarrhea, Nausea and Vomiting

- Misdiagnosis of Celiac Disease

- Substantial Weight Loss

- Villous Atrophy which can lead to:

•  Dehydration
•  Malnourishment
•  Weakened Ability to Fight Off Other Illnesses
•  Electrolyte Problems

These side effects may stop when the medication is no longer used, but users may still suffer with long-lasting gastrointestinal damage and chronic malnourishment.

If you are a loved one has taken Benicar, Azor or Tribenzor and suffered any of the above side effects contact Pendley, Baudin and Coffin, L.L.P. One of our experienced pharmaceutical attorneys will confidentially evaluate your possible case. Pendley, Baudin and Coffin, L.L.P. will fight for the maximum financial compensation for you from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.