Daiichi Sankyo faces rising litigation as a new Benicar lawsuit is filed in the growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) by an Arkansas plaintiff after suffering serious gastrointestinal side effects.

The new claimant says she suffered unexpected Benicar side effects, which included injuries similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

Arkansas plaintiff Rosie M. began using Benicar on Jan. 1, 2014, to treat hypertension and high blood pressure. However, soon after starting the medication she began experiencing serious Benicar side effects and has been contending with the long term effects ever since.

According to her Benicar lawsuit, the symptoms she suffered included sprue-like enteropathy, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and chronic gastrointestinal damage.

It is important to note that the Benicar side effects Rosie experienced can be confused with IBS symptoms. IBS symptoms can include changes in bowel movement patterns, bloating, pain in lower stomach, and mucus in stool.

In July 2013, the FDA made a public announcement stating that Benicar side effects could be similar to IBS symptoms.

This warning was made due to the number of Benicar patients who had thought they were suffering from IBS, as well as Celiac disease, after being prescribed the medication. Researchers found one of the main commonalities between the patients was Benicar, leading to the FDA making the announcement.

Before this announcement, thousands of Benicar patients had suffered gastrointestinal symptoms that were mistaken for either Celiac disease or IBS.

Overview of Benicar Side Effects

Benicar (Olmesartan) is one of the most popular blood pressure treatment medications in the United States, with 10.6 million prescriptions given out per year.

Benicar is a part of the angiotension II receptor blockers (ARB), which work by binding blood vessel receptors. This causes blood vessels to dilate, making the circulation process easier for the heart. With diet and exercise, Benicar is designed to encourage patients to live a healthier and longer life.

However a number of patients have been reporting Benicar side effects similar to IBS symptoms, with many suffering gastrointestinal injuries long after stopping the medication.

According to a study published in the August 2012 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 22 cases of Benicar patients had been exhibiting symptoms of Celiac disease.

This study had spurred the July 2013 warning from the FDA, with the agency stating there was “clear evidence” of a link between Benicar and gastrointestinal injuries.

Rosie’s Benicar lawsuit is joining a group of other Benicar claims, alleging similar injuries. By joining a multidistrict litigation, Rosie is reducing the chances of conflicting rulings from different judges and treading through the long litigation process.

This Benicar Lawsuit is filed with the MDL In Re: Benicar (OLMESARTAN) Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 1:2016cv02820, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage Division.