Benicar Villous Atrophy Lawsuits

Lawyers for Benicar Villous Atrophy Problems

Side effects of the popular hypertension drug Benicar have been linked to a risk of a medical condition known as sprue-like enteropathy, which can cause chronic diarrhea and other stomach problems.

While symptoms typically resolve when the medication is no longer used, many users are left with long term gastrointestinal problems known as villous atrophy from Benicar.

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. pursued Benicar villous atrophy lawsuits for individuals throughout the United States who were diagnosed with damage to the microscopic tentacles that line the wall of the small intestines, which may interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food and reduce digestive capabilities, leading to chronic malnourishment and dehydration.

Potential cases were also reviewed for individuals who have experienced symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy from Benicar, which may include:

• Chronic Diarrhea
• Abdominal Pain
• Substantial Weight Loss

Villous Atrophy From Side Effects of Benicar

Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) is a blockbuster blood pressure drug sold by Daiichi Sankyo. It is a member of a class of drugs known as angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). The same primary pharmaceutical ingredient is included in drugs sold under the brand names Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor and Tribenzor.

In July 2013, the FDA announced that side effects of Benicar may cause sprue-like enteropathy (PDF), with symptoms like chronic diarrhea potentially developing months or even years following first use of any medications containing the olmesartan ingredient.

Due to a lack of prior warnings provided for consumers and the medical community about the potential risks, the link between Benicar and diarrhea problems was not known and many users continued on the medication. This has left many users with villous atrophy and devastating complications.

Villous atrophy occurs when the tentacles that line the wall of the intestines, known as villi, decay and erode away. These villi are important in the digestion process, and when they are eroded it leaves a virtually flat surface on the inside of the small intestines, resulting in reduced digestion capabilities.

Reduced digestion can lead to undigested food particles passing through the intestinal track and into the bloodstream, where they can set off an immune system response, leading to numerous food sensitivities. The most common of these sensitivities is gluten intolerance.

This can also lead to cases of malnourishment and dehydration due to the reduced capabilities of the small intestines, causing further health problems.

Villous atrophy following Benicar use may be diagnosed through an endoscopy with biopsy, which can determine the extent of the damage Benicar has done to the small intestines. The damage is rated via what is known as the Marsh Score.

• Villous Atrophy Marsh Stage 3: Indicates a parital to total villous atrophy, which can limit the ability of the small intestines to absorbe nutrients from food and cause malnourishment and dehydration.
• Villous Atrophy Marsh Stage 4: Indicates a total villous atrophy plus damage to the intestinal crypts, which is the intestinal lining that surround the villi. This carries a severe risk that undigested food particles may pass into the bloodstream, where they can set off an immune reaction and numerous food sensitivities.

Benicar Villous Atrophy Lawyers

Benicar has been on the market since 2002, and has been used by millions of people. Although it appears that the manufacturers were aware of the risk that their drug may cause sprue-like enteropathy and villous atrophy, Benicar warnings did not adequately disclose this information.

If proper warnings about the potential link between Benicar and villous atrophy had been provided, users may have elected to use a different blood pressure medication or they may have avoided permanent damage to their intestines by notifying their doctors if they experienced chronic diarrhea or other symptoms.

The Benicar lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. pursued claims for financial compensation against the drug makers for individuals who have experienced chronic diarrhea, sprue-like enteropathy or villous atrophy after using the medication. Potential Azor lawsuits and Tribenzor lawsuits were also being reviewed for users of these related medications who have experienced similar problems.

New cases are no longer being accepted. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.