A Benicar lawsuit was recently filed against pharmaceutical manufacturers Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories. The allegations claim an Iowa resident suffered severe side affects from taking olmesartan-based drugs like Benicar and Azor because these drugs are defective and unreasonably dangerous medications.

The Benicar lawsuit was filed by Kalawatti S. and James S., a married couple who live in Des Moines Iowa. In January 2011, Kalawatti was prescribed Azor (Benicar) by her treating physician. While taking the recommended dose of Azor, Kalawatti allegedly suffered serious bodily injury, including sprue-like enteropathy and severe chronic diarrhea resulting in substantial weight loss and malnutrition. According to the Benicar lawsuit, Kalawatti required substantial medical monitoring, testing, and treatment in order to prevent further injury. She will be forced to undergo continued monitoring for quite some time. Kalawatti’s husband James joined the Benicar lawsuit in order to bring a loss of consortium claim, or a loss of spousal intimacy claim. This is usually done in hopes of increasing the award or settlement.

The plaintiffs assert that Azor manufacturers violated consumer protection laws by failing to warn the medical community and general public about risks associated with taking the medication. The Benicar lawsuit alleges claims for strict products liability, negligence, fraudulent concealment, and unjust enrichment.

Benicar Allegations

According to court documents, the pharmaceutical manufacturer of the blood pressure drug olmesartan medoxomil, marketed under various names such as Azor and Benicar, promoted false and misleading advertising which minimized the risks associated with taking the drug. In July 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Drug Safety Communication which warned that taking olmesartan could cause intestinal problems known as sprue-like enteropathy. Prior to this warning, several studies existed evidencing the dangerous side effects associated with the use of olmesartan. According to studies, complications from these drugs can develop months or years after taking the medication.

What is Sprue-like Enteropathy?

Sprue-like enteropathy is a serious condition that is commonly associated with celiac disease. Symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy include severe and/or chronic diarrhea, substantial weight loss and electrolyte imbalance. In some cases permanent intestinal damage known as villous atrophy, occurs which is caused by the decay of the villa in the intestinal tract.

Benicar Lawsuits

Personal injury attorneys are looking for potential Benicar lawsuits. Plaintiffs in these Benicar lawsuits can bring a claim individually or become a member in a class action lawsuit. Benicar class action lawsuits allow the Class Members to share the expense of costly litigation, while individual lawsuits offer plaintiffs more autonomy and control. The decision to bring an individual lawsuit or a join a Class should be made on a case by case basis with the advice of a legal professional.

Awards and settlements from these Benicar lawsuits will help victims pay both past and future medical bills, they will also help compensate victims for the pain and suffering they endured due to taking the allegedly defective medication.

The Benicar Lawsuit is Case No. 1:15-cv-02464-RBK-JS, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Central Division.