Ashley Milano  |  October 12, 2015

Category: Legal News

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benicar-diarrhea-illustrationA Benicar lawsuit was filed in a New Jersey federal court against drug manufacturers Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceuticals and Forest Laboratories LLC, alleging the companies did not test Benicar sufficiently before selling it on the market and did not accompany the prescription drug with adequate instructions and warnings to apprise patients of its full risks and side effects.

Plaintiff John I., a Georgia resident, claims in the Benicar Lawsuit that he was injured as a result of his use of Benicar, a medication prescribed to treat his high blood pressure.

According to John, Benicar side effects caused him to suffer from serious gastrointestinal injuries, including chronic diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, as well as abdominal pain, kidney problems, and severe weight loss. All of the side effects and the resulting damage and trauma allegedly sustained by the plaintiff required hospitalization.

The Benicar lawsuit further claims that Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories were aware that long-term use of Benicar was likely to cause a host of serious and, in some cases, life-threatening diseases, yet failed to adequately warn physicians and patients of these risks.

What is Benicar?

In 2002, the Food and Drug Administration approved Benicar, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) as a high blood pressure treatment. Benicar is the brand name for olmesartan medoxomil and is manufactured by Daiichi Sankyo Inc.

Benicar works by blocking the activity of angiotensin-II, a protein produced by the liver that is acts as a potent vasoconstrictor. When Benicar blocks the angiotensin-II receptor, the blood vessels are allowed to relax. This decreases the pressure in the veins and allows the heart to work more efficiently.

Benicar Side Effects

Benicar, like all of the ARBs has a number of side effects, most of which are not severe; however, unlike other drugs in this class, Benicar may cause the serious gastrointestinal condition known as “sprue-like enteropathy”.

The severe side effects of Benicar caused by its GI activity include symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, nutrient malabsorption, and significant weight loss. Other common side effects of Benicar are:

  • Rash and hair loss
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Arthritis
  • Irregular heart beat and chest pain
  • Swelling of the skin (angioedema)
  • Liver or kidney impairment

Benicar Litigation

Benicar lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation in New Jersey federal court before U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler. All of the lawsuits included in the Benicar MDL are based on allegations that the defendants, Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories, were aware of serious gastrointestinal side effects of olmesartan like sprue-like enteropathy, but knowingly concealed this information, placing profits before consumer safety.

The Benicar lawsuit filed by John seeks punitive damages from Daichii Sankyo’s alleged negligence in failing to provide proper warnings regarding the severity of Benicar side effects.

The Benicar MDL is In Re: Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2606, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Benicar class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Benicar lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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If you or a loved one used Benicar for at least four months and were hospitalized for severe gastrointestinal problems, you may have a legal claim. Submit your information now for a free case evaluation.

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