A new Benicar lawsuit was recently filed in a New Jersey federal court. The lawsuit was brought against Daiichi Sankyo and several of its subsidiaries, along with Forest Laboratories.

The Benicar lawsuit alleges that the plaintiffs suffered from serious side effects of Benicar such as chronic diarrhea and sprue-like enteropathy and that the drug warning label did not inform them of these potential side effects.

The Benicar lawsuit was brought by Sheryl C. and her husband Ted S., residents of Las Vegas, Nevada.  Sheryl asserts that she suffered from serious side effects of Benicar that caused her physical injury and economic loss.

Her significant other joined the lawsuit as a co-plaintiff and is bringing a claim for loss of consortium.  A loss of consortium claim can be brought by a spouse and alleges that the victim’s injuries damaged the spousal relationship in some way.

According to the lawsuit, Sheryl was prescribed Benicar by her treating physician in July 2012.  Her Benicar lawsuit claims that, due to taking the blood pressure medication, Sheryl suffered from serious Benicar side effects, including chronic diarrhea, and Benicar-induced small bowel villous atrophy.

The lawsuit alleges several claims against the pharmaceutical manufacturers including strict products liability, gross negligence, fraudulent concealment, fraud, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, loss of consortium, and punitive damages.

The Benicar lawsuit is part of MDL No. 2606 and was filed in the United States District Court in the District of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage.

What is Benicar?

Benicar, generically known as olmesartan, is a medication prescribed by doctors to treat high blood pressure. Olmesartan works by preventing blood vessels from narrowing, which increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure.

Over the years Benicar has gained immense popularity; over 11 million prescriptions are written for the medication each year.  Unfortunately, Benicar has recently been linked to serious adverse side effects.

Side effects of Benicar include substantial weight loss, severe and chronic diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, villous atrophy, and sprue-like enteropathy.

Sprue-like enteropathy is a serious condition that is often misdiagnosed by medical professionals as celiac disease.  If left untreated the condition can result in villous atrophy, or damage to the villi of the small intestine. Because the condition is often confused with celiac disease, patients may receive ineffective treatment.

A Benicar study published by the Mayo Clinic in 2012 described dozens of patients who experienced celiac disease symptoms while taking Benicar.  The study looked at patients between 2008 and 2011.

Warnings associating Benicar with sprue-like enteropathy and villous atrophy did not appear on warning labels until the summer of 2013.  The delayed notice caused several patients to file Benicar lawsuits against the pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Benicar Lawsuits

Patients who suffered serious adverse side effects after taking Benicar may be able to bring a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical manufacturer.  Plaintiffs who are successful with their lawsuits may receive significant compensation for their pain and suffering, along with repayment for their medical bills that relate to their Benicar injuries.