Benicar and Severe Intestinal Issues Lawsuit
On August 1, 2017, a $300 million settlement was reached with the makers of the drug Benicar to resolve certain claims for injuries stemming from the use of Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor or Tribenzor prior to May 2015. However, there was only a limited amount of time for individuals who had not already filed a case to hire a lawyer, as the warning label on Benicar had been updated to include sprue-like enteropathy since 2013.
Benicar treats high blood pressure, but it was also linked to severe intestinal problems. A number of people filed lawsuits after suffering from chronic diarrhea and weight loss. People who take Benicar, or the related drugs Azor or Tribenzor, also may suffer from a condition that causes the lining of the intestines to lose its texture and makes it difficult to absorb nutrients. This leads to malnourishment, which can cause other digestive issues such as dehydration, chronic diarrhea, and dramatic weight loss. Enteropathy, which refers to any pathology of the intestine, was a term adopted to help describe many of the negative side effects.
What Are the Symptoms of Enteropathy from Benicar?
While side effects may vary, the most common symptoms of enteropathy from Benicar include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Dehydration
- Enlarged gallbladder
- Cardiovascular problems
- Elevated white-blood-cell count
- Colon perforation
Can I File a Lawsuit?
The Benicar lawsuits were ultimately successful. Daiichi Sankyo agreed to pay $358 million in 2017 to settle over 2,000 lawsuits. Unfortunately, we are unaware of any attorneys who are still taking Benicar lawsuits. This is because the warning labels have been updated since 2013 to warn of the possible consequences of long term usage. Lawsuits against big pharma companies have a higher chance of success if the plaintiff is working with a dangerous drugs attorney. If you have suffered due to taking a defective drug, do not hesitate to seek legal representation. Contact our legal team to learn more about how we can help.
