Once again the FDA has reached a conclusion that is directly opposed by some of its own scientists. Last month the FDA affirmed the safety of olmesartan, a popular blood pressure lowering drug (sold as Benicar and other names). But that reassuring view is not shared by the FDA scientists who performed the study that provided…
FDA Ends Olmesartan Safety Review, But…
June 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The FDA announced on Tuesday that it had completed its safety review of the antihypertensive drug olmesartan (sold as Benicar and other names). The investigation was initiated in 2010 when results from the ROADMAP trial showed that patients with type 2 diabetes taking olmesartan had an increased risk of cardiovascular death. Now the FDA says that it…
FDA Warns That Popular Blood Pressure Drug Can Cause Severe Diarrhea
July 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The FDA is warning that the widely-used antihypertensive agent olmesartan (marketed as Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, Tribenzor, and generics) may cause severe diarrhea. According to an FDA safety announcement, olmesartan “can cause intestinal problems known as sprue-like enteropathy. Symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy include severe, chronic diarrhea with substantial weight loss.” The warning is being added to…
Olmesartan Use Associated With GI Disorder That Mimics Celiac Disease
June 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic has uncovered a rare but potentially serious association between the angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB) olmesartan and severe gastrointestinal problems that resemble Celiac disease. The report has been published online in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. In the US, olmesartan is sold as Benicar and, in combination with other drugs, as…
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