A new Benicar HCT lawsuit filed as part of the multidistrict litigation in New Jersey federal court alleges that Benicar HCT caused personal injury.

Plaintiff Ida W. is a 69-year-old resident of South Carolina. She began taking Benicar HCT in July 2006, and in turn suffered alleged Benicar HCT side effects.

As a result of taking Benicar HCT, Ida alleges the following injuries: “Serious gastrointestinal and/or colonic injuries, included but not limited to villous atrophy, sprue-like enteropathy, colitis, kidney failure, malabsorption, malnutrition, dehydration, and/or symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and/or other related symptoms as well as medical expenses from these injuries.”

Ida alleges fifteen counts in her Benicar HCT lawsuit against Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories including: products liability for design defect and failure to warn, multiple counts of negligence, fraudulent concealment, breaches of express and implied warranties, unjust enrichment, violation of South Carolina consumer protection law, and punitive damages.

The Benicar HCT lawsuit filed by Ida is demanding a jury trial and is seeking unspecified damages. It is being brought under the umbrella of the Benicar Multidistrict Litigation (MDL).

Benicar HCT Side Effects

Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) is a medication used to treat high blood pressure in adults. As an antihypertensive, the medication dilates the body’s blood vessels which allows the blood to travel more freely through the vessels, thereby helping the heart to not work so hard.

Benicar HCT is a combination drug that includes olmesartan medoxomil with hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic.

Mild side effects of Benicar HCT have been reported and include muscle, back, and joint pain, dizziness, weakness, mild itchiness or rash and infections of the upper respiratory tract.

As in Ida’s case, more severe Benicar HCT side effects have also been reported. The most severe side effects exert their influence on the bodies gastrointestinal system. Sprue-like enteropathy and villous atrophy are the two most common gastrointestinal side effects.

Many patients who take Benicar HCT appear to have a condition called Celiac disease, a severe gluten allergy; however, testing confirms that this is not the case and rather sprue-like enteropathy is the cause.

Villous atrophy is also common. This condition causes the fingerlike projections, known as villi, to degrade, resulting in a decreased ability for the small intestine to absorb nutrients.

As a result of these two conditions, severe chronic diarrhea is often seen, as well as malnutrition and severe weight loss. Dehydration can also result from the chronic diarrhea.

In July 2013, the FDA issued a warning regarding bowel problems associated with Benicar. The agency stated, “The FDA’s evaluation found clear evidence of an association between olmesartan and sprue-like enteropathy.

If patients taking olmesartan develop these symptoms and no other cause is found, the drug should be discontinued and therapy with another antihypertensive started.”

If you or a loved one has taken Benicar HCT and has suffered from severe Benicar HCT side effects including bowel problems and other gastrointestinal issues, you may be eligible to file a Benicar HCT lawsuit.

An experienced Benicar attorney can review your case at no charge and can help you determine if filing a lawsuit is right for you.

The Benicar HCT Lawsuit is Case No. 1:16-cv-03325, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage and the Benicar MDL is In Re: Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2606.