Ashley Milano  |  July 1, 2015

Category: Legal News

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benicar-stomach-painA recent Benicar lawsuit was filed in New Jersey state court against Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceuticals and Forest Laboratories, alleging the blood-pressure drug, Benicar, causes severe gastrointestinal injuries including sprue-like enteropathy and chronic diarrhea.

Plaintiff Henry F., an Indiana resident, was prescribed Benicar to treat his high blood pressure. Henry alleges that Benicar side effects caused him to develop personal injuries, which include a serious intestinal disease known as sprue-like enteropathy and colitis.

These Benicar side effects caused Henry to suffer from chronic diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, malnutrition, and dehydration, which continued to worsen resulting in numerous hospitalizations. His condition must now be closely monitored by medical professionals.

The Benicar lawsuit claims that Daiichi Sankyo knew or should have known about the risk of dangerous Benicar side effects, but failed to disclose the risk until after independent studies were released and the FDA issued a warning in 2013.

Henry is seeking compensation for the medical expenses required to treat his Benicar-related disease, as well as for pain and suffering. He has demanded a jury trial for this Benicar lawsuit.

The Benicar Lawsuit is Case No: 1:15-cv-04110-RBK-JS, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

What is Benicar?

Benicar, sold generically as olmesartan, is a medication for treating high blood pressure by blocking a chemical in the body that causes blood vessels to narrow. By blocking this chemical, Benicar relaxes and widens blood vessels and allows blood to flow with less resistance. 2012 sales of the popular drug were just under $2.5 billion, according to reports. The drug is manufactured by Daiichi Sankyo and has been co-promoted by Forest Laboratories.

2012 Study Links Benicar to Sprue-Like Enteropathy

In 2012, a report on the suspected link between sprue-like enteropathy and Benicar was published by the Mayo Clinic, which described cases similar to celiac disease among Benicar users. Physicians acknowledged that the conditions resolved when the blood pressure drug was no longer used. The Mayo Clinic study reported 22 patients suffering from gastrointestinal injuries allegedly brought on by Benicar use, and one of the study’s top authors reportedly believes these cases are the “tip of the iceberg.”

FDA Warns About Benicar Risks

Following the Mayo Clinic Study, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required that the manufacturers update the warning label on Benicar in July 2013 to provide information to consumers and the medical community for the first time that Benicar patients could be at an increased risk of sprue-like enteropathy.

According to the FDA warnings, there is clear evidence that users could suffer from weight loss, abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, and other symptoms that could take months or even years to surface after the medication is started.

Benicar Lawsuits

Over 60 Benicar lawsuits have been consolidated in multidistrict litigation (MDL) in New Jersey, the home of the U.S. headquarters of Daiichi Sankyo. It is estimated that hundreds, perhaps thousands of Benicar lawsuits may ultimately be included in the Benicar MDL.

If you have suffered sprue-like enteropathy symptoms, including hospitalization due to drastic weight loss, dehydration, chronic GI issues and malnutrition, and were taking Benicar at the time, you may be eligible to file a Benicar lawsuit.

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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Join a Free Benicar Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

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.

An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.