What Is Benicar?

Benicar is a medication used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children who are at least 6 years of age. The drug works by blocking certain receptors known as angiotensin receptors. Angiotensin II is a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict. By inhibiting the action of this hormone, blood vessels become dilated.

Currently the drug, along with its sister drugs (Benicar HCT, Azor, and Tribenzor) is being investigated as these drugs have been linked to serious gastrointestinal injury, prompting thousands of lawsuits to be filed against the drug’s developer, Daiichi Sankyo.

Benicar Side Effects

Serious side effects have been experienced from consistent use of Benicar. A recent Mayo Clinic study, conducted by Dr. Josephy Murray, has linked the development of sprue-like enteropathy to the use of Benicar. Sprue-like enteropathy is a disease that produces severe gastrointestinal symptoms; such as chronic diarrhea, significant weight loss, nausea, and overall malnutrition.