Benicar Side Effects Can Be Stopped

Are you or a loved one experiencing severe side effects from Benicar or Olmetec? A recent Canadian study has shed light on the potential for relief from troubling symptoms like extreme weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting once the use of olmesartan-based, blood pressure medications is discontinued. Benicar, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, has been linked to Sprue, a chronic condition causing malabsorption syndrome. This condition manifests with symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, abdominal and chest pain, nausea, and significant body weight- loss. However, there is hope; the study highlighted how quickly and effectively symptoms of olmesartan-induced Sprue can subside once the medication is stopped, often within days to months.

At Hollis Law Firm, we understand the impact these side effects can have on your life. Our dedicated team is here to offer support and legal guidance to those affected by Benicar or Olmetec side effects. If you or a family member have suffered from these conditions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We provide compassionate assistance and work on a contingency fee basis, ensuring you only pay when we win your case. Contact us today for a confidential consultation, and let us help you navigate your legal options.

Benicar Side Effects Can Be Stopped

Benicar side effects such as loss of appetite, muscle aches, pain, extreme weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting are not lasting once the drug has been stopped, a new Canadian study shows.

Benicar (olmesartan) is used to treat high blood pressure. For many people, the drug can be the source of Sprue, a chronic form of malabsorption syndrome. Symptoms of Sprue include abdominal and chest pain, severe long-term diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and extreme weight loss. Additionally, side effects such as feet chest pain and feet unusual weight gain may require immediate medical attention. A Canadian study published this year shows how holding olmesartan medication (which goes by the brand name Olmetec, in Canada), can completely remove these Olmetec or Benicar side effects and the presence of Sprue. Sprue was previously thought to have a dire prognosis, but with the evidence that the effects of olmesartan-induced Sprue can be reversed, there is hope.

The study reviewed the case of a 79-year-old man who was experiencing watery diarrhea up to 10 times a day. After several tests, olmesartan-induced enteropathy was declared the cause of his diarrhea, abdominal and chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and rapid weight loss. Within days of stopping olmesartan, many of his Sprue symptoms had improved. Within two months, all side effects of olmesartan on his Sprue symptoms had disappeared. The researchers noted that along with stopping olmesartan-based drugs Benicar and Olmetec, a gluten-free diet and use of corticosteroids could help Sprue’s symptoms.

What to Do If You Are Experiencing Negative Benicar Side Effects

Benicar (olmesartan) is a widely prescribed medication used to treat high blood pressure. While it is effective for many patients, some individuals may experience negative side effects. If you are experiencing adverse effects from Benicar, it is crucial to take appropriate steps to protect your health and well-being. Here’s a detailed guide on what to do if you encounter negative side effects from Benicar.

Recognize the Symptoms

The first step is to recognize the following symptoms, that might indicate you are experiencing negative side effects from Benicar. Common side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, or gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhea. However, more severe unwanted effects can also occur, such as:

• Severe diarrhea leading to significant weight loss
• Vomiting and dehydration
• Chronic fatigue and weakness
• Kidney problems indicated by changes in urination patterns
• Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
• Swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles

Additionally, symptoms that may require medical attention include:

• Unusual weight gain
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Muscle cramps
• Muscle cramps in sex organs

Being aware of these symptoms can help you identify a potential issue early on.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If you experience severe or concerning side effects, contact your doctor immediately. Contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room if necessary. Timely intervention can prevent complications and ensure that you receive appropriate care.

Document Your Symptoms

Keeping a detailed record of your symptoms can be invaluable. Note the following information:

• The date and time you started experiencing symptoms
• The specific nature and severity of the symptoms
• Any other medications or supplements you are taking
• Dietary or lifestyle changes that may coincide with the onset of symptoms

This information can help your healthcare provider make a more accurate diagnosis and determine the best course of action.

Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss the side effects you are experiencing. Be sure to bring your symptom documentation with you. Inform your healthcare provider about any other medications, supplements, vitamins, and herbal products you are using to avoid potential drug interactions. Your healthcare provider can assess your condition, review your medical history, and determine whether Benicar is the likely cause of your symptoms. They may also recommend alternative treatments or adjust your dosage to mitigate the side effects.

Follow Your Doctor’s Recommendations

Based on their assessment, your healthcare provider may advise you to:

• Discontinue Benicar and switch to an alternative medication
• Adjust the dosage of Benicar
• Undergo additional tests to assess the extent of any potential damage
• Implement lifestyle changes to help manage your blood pressure

It is essential to follow your healthcare professional’s recommendations closely and not to stop taking Benicar abruptly without medical guidance, as this could worsen your condition.

Report the Side Effects

Reporting your adverse side effects to regulatory authorities can contribute to the safety monitoring of medications like Benicar. In the United States, you can report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the MedWatch program. This helps the FDA track potential safety issues and take necessary actions to protect public health.

Consider Legal Advice

If you believe that your negative side effects are due to negligence on the part of the manufacturer, such as inadequate warnings or defective product design, you may want to consider seeking legal advice. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and explore your options for seeking compensation. This is particularly relevant if you have suffered significant harm, incurred substantial medical expenses, or experienced a loss of income due to the side effects.

Stay Informed

Educate yourself about Benicar and its potential side effects. Stay updated with the latest medical guidelines and research. Understanding the risks and benefits of your medication can help you make informed decisions about your treatment plan.

Understanding Benicar: What You Need to Know About How It Lowers Blood Pressure

Benicar, also known by its generic name olmesartan medoxomil, is a medication primarily prescribed to treat high blood pressure, clinically known as hypertension. As an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), Benicar works by blocking the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict. By relaxing blood vessels, Benicar helps lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, and reduce the workload on the heart.

Mechanism of Action

Benicar operates by binding to angiotensin II receptors found on blood vessels, preventing angiotensin II from exerting its vasoconstrictive effects. This mechanism allows blood vessels to dilate, further blood pressure reduction which in turn lowers blood pressure. By improving blood flow throughout the body, Benicar helps reduce the increased risk of complications associated with hypertension, such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems.

Indications

Benicar is prescribed for the management of hypertension in adults and children 6 years of age and older. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications to make blood pressure medication achieve optimal blood pressure control. Doctors may also recommend Benicar for off-label uses, such as in the treatment of certain kidney conditions related to diabetes.

Dosage and Administration

Benicar is typically taken orally once daily, with or without food. The dosage prescribed depends on various factors, including the severity of hypertension and individual patient response to the medication. It is important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding dosage and administration to ensure effective treatment and minimize potential side effects.

Precautions and Drug Interactions

Before starting Benicar, inform your doctor about any existing medical conditions, allergies, or medications you are taking. Certain conditions or medications may interact with Benicar, potentially affecting its efficacy or safety. Discuss potential drug interactions with your doctor, including any other medications, supplements, vitamins, and herbal products you are using. Regular monitoring of blood pressure and kidney function may be recommended during treatment with Benicar to assess its effectiveness and detect any adverse effects early.

Pursuing Legal Action for Harm Caused by Benicar

Benicar, a medication primarily prescribed for hypertension (high blood pressure), has been associated with serious health complications in some patients. If you or a loved one have suffered harm as a result of taking Benicar, you may have grounds to pursue legal action to seek compensation for your injuries. Here’s a comprehensive look at when and how you can take legal steps against Benicar manufacturers and others involved in your treatment:

Understanding Harm Caused by Benicar

Benicar, or olmesartan medoxomil, is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to lower blood pressure. While effective for many patients, some individuals have experienced severe side effects linked to Benicar use. These side effects include gastrointestinal issues like chronic diarrhea, severe weight loss, and intestinal malabsorption, known as sprue-like enteropathy. These conditions can significantly impact a person’s health, leading to prolonged suffering, medical expenses, and even permanent damage in severe cases.

Legal Grounds for Filing a Lawsuit

When considering legal action against the manufacturers or prescribers of Benicar (olmesartan), it’s essential to understand the key legal grounds and factors that can support your claim. Benicar, a medication used to treat high blood pressure, has been associated with serious side effects and complications that have led many patients to pursue legal recourse. 

Negligence

One of the primary legal grounds for a lawsuit against the manufacturers, marketers, or healthcare providers involved with Benicar is negligence. Negligence in this context refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care in the development, testing, prescribing, or warning about the medication. To establish negligence, the following elements typically need to be proven:

Duty of Care

The manufacturer or healthcare provider owed a duty of care to ensure that Benicar was reasonably safe when used as intended.

Breach of Duty

There was a breach of this duty, such as failure to adequately warn about known risks or defects of other drugs associated with Benicar.

Causation

The breach of duty directly caused harm or injury to the patient. This requires demonstrating that the negligence of health care professional was a substantial factor in causing the harm suffered.

Damages

The patient experienced actual damages, such unwanted effects such as physical injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering, as a result of using Benicar.

Examples of negligence in the context of Benicar litigation may include the following symptoms:

• Failure of the manufacturer to conduct adequate testing to identify potential risks.
• Inadequate warnings or instructions are provided to healthcare providers and patients.
• Concealment of known risks or side effects associated with Benicar.

Contacting an attorney who can thoroughly investigate your case is crucial to obtaining fair compensation.

Strict Liability

Strict liability may apply in some cases involving defective pharmaceutical products like Benicar. Strict liability holds manufacturers or distributors responsible for injuries caused by their products regardless of whether they were negligent. To establish strict liability, plaintiffs typically need to prove:

Defective Product

The Benicar medication was defectively designed, manufactured, or marketed in a way that made it unreasonably dangerous when used as intended.

Causation

The defect in Benicar directly caused harm or injury to the patient without the need to prove negligence.

Under strict liability, if it can be shown that Benicar was defectively designed or had manufacturing defects that contributed to the harm suffered by the patient, liability may be imposed on the manufacturer or distributor.

Breach of Warranty

Consumers have the right to expect that products like Benicar meet certain standards of safety and effectiveness as marketed. If Benicar was marketed with express or implied warranties that were not fulfilled, a breach of warranty claim may be pursued. Types of warranties that may be relevant in pharmaceutical litigation include:

• Express Warranty: Specific claims made by the manufacturer or marketer about the safety, efficacy, or quality of Benicar.
• Implied Warranty of Merchantability: The implied promise that Benicar is fit for its intended use and meets ordinary consumer expectations.
• Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose: The implied promise that Benicar is suitable for treating high blood pressure without causing unreasonable risks or harm.

If Benicar failed to meet these warranties and the patient suffered harm. As a result, a breach of warranty claim could strengthen their case for compensation.

Failure to Warn

Failure to warn, also known as inadequate warning or inadequate labeling, focuses on whether the manufacturer or distributor failed to provide sufficient warnings about known risks associated with Benicar. Pharmaceutical companies have a legal duty to warn healthcare providers and patients about potential side effects, contraindications, and other risks associated with their medications. Key aspects of a failure to warn claim include:

• Known Risks: Demonstrating that the manufacturer knew or should have known about the risks associated with Benicar.
• Inadequate Warning: Showing that the warnings provided were insufficient or misleading, preventing healthcare providers and patients from making informed decisions about the medication.
• Harm Caused by Lack of Warning: Establishing that adequate warnings could have prevented or mitigated the harm suffered by the patient.

Failure to warn claims can be crucial in cases where patients were not adequately informed about the potential risks of using Benicar, leading to unexpected complications or injuries.

Statute of Limitations

It’s crucial to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations applicable in your state. The statute of limitations dictates the time period within which legal action must be initiated after the harm or injury is discovered. For pharmaceutical litigation such as Benicar lawsuits, the statute of limitations typically starts from:

• Date of Injury: The date when the patient first experienced harm or injury directly attributable to Benicar.
• Discovery of Harm: The date when the patient first became aware or should have become aware of the link between their injury and the use of Benicar.

Missing the statute of limitations deadline can result in losing the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Consulting with an experienced attorney specializing in pharmaceutical litigation can help ensure that your lawsuit is filed within the required timeframe.

Understanding Benicar and Its Side Effects

Benicar, known generically as olmesartan, is a medication prescribed to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). While effective in managing blood pressure for many patients, Benicar has been associated with significant side effects that can cause harm and joint pain and discomfort.

Side effects of Benicar include:

Gastrointestinal Issues

One of the most common and troublesome side effects of Benicar is gastrointestinal problems. These can include chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, sour stomach, belching, and difficulty with moving. In some cases, patients may experience severe and persistent diarrhea that leads to dehydration and weight loss. This condition, known as sprue-like enteropathy, mimics symptoms of celiac disease and can persist even after discontinuing Benicar.

Malabsorption Syndrome

Prolonged use of Benicar has been linked to a condition called sprue-like enteropathy, where the intestines are unable to properly absorb nutrients from food. This malabsorption syndrome can result in deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals, leading to further health complications.

Kidney Damage

There have been reports linking Benicar to kidney problems, including acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. These complications can arise due to the medication’s impact on blood flow and renal function, effects occur particularly in patients with pre-existing kidney conditions.

Cardiovascular Risks

While Benicar is used to reduce blood pressure reduction and reduce cardiovascular risks associated with hypertension, it can paradoxically lead to low blood pressure in some individuals. This common low blood pressure side may cause dizziness, fainting, and fatigue, especially when standing up quickly.

Allergic Reactions

In rare cases, patients may experience severe allergic reactions to Benicar, characterized by symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling of the face, feet, and lower legs, as well as stomach pain, swelling, severe dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Immediate medical attention is necessary if any signs of an allergic reaction occur.

How Can Hollis Law Firm Help You?

If you or a loved one have experienced severe side effects from Benicar (olmesartan), such as extreme or unusual weight gain or loss, chronic diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal issues, you may be wondering about checking with your doctor about legal options. Hollis Law Firm is here to help you check with your doctor and navigate the complexities of a legal claim arising from these side effects.

Experienced Legal Team

At Hollis Law Firm, we specialize in handling cases involving pharmaceutical injuries, including those caused by drugs like Benicar. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of the complexities involved in proving pharmaceutical liability and are committed to fighting for the rights of individuals who have suffered due to defective medications.

Comprehensive Case Evaluation

We offer a thorough and confidential case evaluation to assess the specifics of your situation. This evaluation helps us determine if you have a viable claim against the manufacturer of Benicar or other related parties. Our team will review your medical records, assess the extent of your injuries, and discuss the impact of Benicar side effects on your life.

Personalized Legal Strategy

Each case is unique, and we tailor our approach to fit your specific circumstances. Whether negotiating a settlement or litigating in court, we strive to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. Our goal is to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by Benicar side effects.

Benicar Side Effects Don’t Have to Keep You From Enjoying Your Life. Contact the Hollis Law Firm Today for Answers to Your Problems With Benicar Side Effects

Olmetec users in Canada who have been experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to contact the Consumer Law Group. The Hollis Law Firm has partnered with the Consumer Law Group to help people who have taken Benicar or Olmetec and suffered dangerous side effects. The Hollis Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis, you never owe any money unless there is a recovery for your claim. Contact us for your risk-free, confidential case review at (800) 701-3672. Alternatively, complete our contact form.