Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com!
    eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Record is Archived

    This article is now archived and is closed to further replies.

    Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    By Jefferson Adams •

    Does Benicar Trigger Celiac-like Gut Symptoms?

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.
    Does Benicar Trigger Celiac-like Gut Symptoms? - Image: Wikimedia Commons
    Caption: Image: Wikimedia Commons

    Celiac.com 07/09/2014 - Does the blood pressure medication Benicar (Olmesartan medoxomil) trigger celiac-like gut symptoms?

    Image: Wikimedia CommonsThe law firm Levin, Papantonio has filed a lawsuit claiming just that, on behalf of a Texas man who allegedly developed a rare gastrointestinal condition known as sprue-like enteropathy while taking Benicar.

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    According to the complaint, Benicar caused the plaintiff to suffer severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including chronic diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration. These symptoms are commonly associated with a rare sprue-like enteropathy.

    The lawsuit comes as Benicar faces scrutiny following a Mayo Clinic study linking the popular drug to rare sprue-like enteropathy in users.

    The connection between Benicar and the sprue-like enteropathy symptoms was first noted by Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, Dr. Joseph Murray, after he observed two patients taking Benicar experience relief from symptoms thought to be associated with Celiac disease. Upon discontinuing the use of Benicar, the gastrointestinal symptoms vanished.

    Dr. Murray then conducted a three-year study of 22 people who experienced celiac-like symptoms while taking Benicar. He found that 14 of those patients had symptoms so severe that hospitalization was required.

    Moreover, none of the 22 original patients responded to a gluten-free diet, and none showed any detectable levels of tissue transglutaminase in the blood, which would point to celiac disease.

    After discontinuing the Benicar treatments, the intestinal symptoms disappeared in each of the 22 patients, and they all regained lost weight.

    In 2013, in keeping with Dr. Murray’s findings, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration changed Benicar’s label to include a warning that the drug may trigger sprue-like enteropathy and symptoms similar to celiac disease.

    If you think you may have suffered adverse effects from Benicar, check with your doctor, and possibly with a lawyer.

    Sources:

    • Open Original Shared Link
    • Open Original Shared Link
    • Open Original Shared Link

     Share
    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Guest Gerald Jones

    Guest Gerald Jones

    Posted

    I am one of those people who suffered celiac symptoms as a result of taking Benicar. I suffered from this for eight years not knowing Benicar was the cause. For some reason possibly associated with Benicar I began to suffer dizziness and light-headedness when I stood so my doctor took me off blood pressure medication and all my symptoms disappeared. Since that time I have regained lost weight and show no signs of celiac disease though I still maintain a gluten free diet for fear that I may actually have celiac that put me in the hospital for 15 days one time and again for another 4 after that. Now, though I am not as strict in trying to avoid trace amounts of gluten in my foods and have so far had no problems since coming off Benicar.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Kathryn Millspaugh

    Guest Kathryn Millspaugh

    Posted

    I was on Benicar for several years. After my symptoms got bad enough to diagnose, I would get horribly sick within 30 minutes of taking Benicar. I would start feeling bad within 15 to 20 minutes. The vomiting would go on 3 to 3 1/2 hours before it was over. My doctor said she'd heard of that before my case.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Daniel Nigh

    Guest Daniel Nigh

    Posted

    I am one of those people who suffered celiac symptoms as a result of taking Benicar. I suffered from this for eight years not knowing Benicar was the cause. For some reason possibly associated with Benicar I began to suffer dizziness and light-headedness when I stood so my doctor took me off blood pressure medication and all my symptoms disappeared. Since that time I have regained lost weight and show no signs of celiac disease though I still maintain a gluten free diet for fear that I may actually have celiac that put me in the hospital for 15 days one time and again for another 4 after that. Now, though I am not as strict in trying to avoid trace amounts of gluten in my foods and have so far had no problems since coming off Benicar.

    Gerald, did you ever contact this law firm (Levin, Papantonio)?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Guest
    This is now closed for further comments

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • About Me

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Related Articles

    Dr. Vikki Petersen D.C, C.C.N
    Gluten-Free But Still Feeling Ill
    This article originally appeared in the Spring 2010 edition of Celiac.com's Journal of Gluten-Sensitivity.
    Celiac.com 10/22/2010 - More and more we’re hearing from frustrated patients who, despite being vigilant about their gluten-free diet, continue to suffer health problems.
    I have been involved in the field of celiac and gluten sensitivity for over 15 years and am delighted by much of the recent increased awareness and attention given to the area.  But I’m also concerned about the lack of assistance given to many patients who have been definitively diagnosed with either celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.  While being correctly given the advice to not eat gluten, they are not provided with a follow-up program to address and treat the secondary effects of gluten sensi...
    Robert Lanterman
    Five Awesome Gluten and Dairy-Free Food Choices
    Celiac.com 10/29/2014 - At the age of eighteen I started to see a naturopath in order to find ways to combat my anxiety without switching to a bunch of shady medications. In my experience, people had rarely ever talked about food intolerances in relation to neurochemistry. Despite my skepticism or the skepticism of the people around me, what choice did I have but to try whatever it took? My anxiety levels were unmanageable, and I found myself ruining a lot of my relationships because I was too afraid of all the possible outcomes to make decisive choices in the majority of social situations, which led to me letting a lot of people down when they were counting on me. I had to find a way to gain some self-control, and I had reached a place in life where counseling wasn’t enough anymore.
    ...
    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 11/06/2014 - The results of restaurant supply-chain co-op SpenDifference’s menu price survey indicate that more than half of all restaurant chains plan to offer gluten-free menu items in 2014.
    The third menu price survey said nine percent of surveyed restaurants are already offering organic products, 36 percent use local products, 53 percent offer light- and low-calorie options, and 55 percent have gluten-free items.
    The report echoes earlier reports that the strong and steady uptick in the demand for gluten-free foods, and is reinforced by SpenDifference president and chief executive officer Maryanne Rose, who says that the growing demand for low-calorie and gluten-free menu items will “be with us for a long time.
    Many specialty restaurants, now offers gluten-free men...

  • Recent Activity

    1. Katiec123
      - Katiec123 replied to Katiec123's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      4

      Finding out I’m coeliac whilst pregnant

      @RMJ it makes sense as it’s something I’ve experienced more than once. Currently 24 weeks and baby is doing well! Will be seeking more medical advice today
    2. Manaan2
      - Manaan2 replied to Manaan2's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      13

      Vitamin Levels and constipation

      Thank you! This is great information and perfect timing because we have our first appointment for a second opinion tomorrow.
    3. trents
      - trents replied to nanaimobar's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Doc says I have celiac, despite no GI symptoms?

      Bright blood in the stool would indicate bleeding down at the lower end in the colorectal area as opposed to the small bowel below the stomach where celiac manifests damage to the villous lining. Are these blood stools persistent? It's not unusual for this to happen once in a while to most anyone when a small surface vessel breaks, kind of like a nose bleed...
    4. Bev in Milw
      - Bev in Milw replied to Kate1990's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      3

      Gluten-free bread

      Checkouts gluten-free recipes at twww.redstaryeast.com We tried a bread machine years ago and weren’t happy with results. Bread machines have pre-set rise & bake times. Unfortunately, the program doesn’t adjust to slight differences when measuring, relative humidity or temperature of ingredients & in kitchens. Lots of efforts for ONE odd- si...
    5. CelestialScribe
      - CelestialScribe replied to Ading69's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      2

      Seeking Gluten-Free Advice for My Trip to South Korea!

      Welcome to the forum. You are lucky because in Korean food, many classic meals such as bibimbap without sauce, barbecue meats and some kinds of soups generally do not have gluten. But it is a good idea to confirm with the restaurant workers for safety reasons. Regarding certain locations, I enjoy going to places such as Plant in Seoul and Sprout in Busan...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      121,036
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Davidt4667801z
    Newest Member
    Davidt4667801z
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Popular Now

    • Katiec123
      4
      Finding out I’m coeliac whilst pregnant

      By Katiec123
      Started

    • Vicrob
      4
      Gluten ataxia

      By Vicrob
      Started

    • lasthope2024
      6
      This forum might be the last hope I have in my life. Please I beg you

      By lasthope2024
      Started

    • brittanyf
      4
      Lots of celiac symptoms but negative blood test? Need advice!

      By brittanyf
      Started

    • gameboy68
      11
      Partial Positive Biopsy/Negative Serology - is celiac still possible?

      By gameboy68
      Started

  • Popular Articles

    • Scott Adams
      60
      The Gluten-Free Diet 101 - A Beginner's Guide to Going Gluten-Free

      By Scott Adams

    • Scott Adams
      78
      Forbidden Gluten Food List (Unsafe Ingredients)

      By Scott Adams

    • Scott Adams
      66
      Safe Gluten-Free Food List (Safe Ingredients)

      By Scott Adams

    • Scott Adams
      144
      What Are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?

      By Scott Adams

    • Scott Adams
      72
      Gluten-Free Alcoholic Beverages

      By Scott Adams

  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...