A 34-year-old Florida resident is holding pharmaceutical giants Daiichi Sanyko responsible for her Benicar colonic side effects.

Plaintiff Jessica R. is joining thousands of other Benicar users in a multidistrict litgation against drug maker Daiichi Sanyko over severe gastrointestinal side effects.

Benicar is a medication that was developed in 1995 for the treatment of hypertension or high blood pressure, and it was originally approved for use in the United States by the FDA in 2002.  It was approved for use by children in the United States in 2010.

Benicar is manufactured by Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo, and it has been estimated that the drug is one of the most widely used in the world.

According to her short form complaint, Jessica was prescribed and began using Benicar in October 2012.

She claims as a result of using the hypertension medication, she experienced serious  Benicar colonic side effects including villous atrophy, sprue-like enteropathy, kidney failure, chronic diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal injuries.

Possible Side Effects of Benicar

Jessica’s reported side effects unfortunately are among the most adverse events reported in regards to the hypertension drug.  In fact, of the side effects associated with the use of the drug, sprue-like enteropathy appears to be the most severe.

Sprue-like enteropathy leads to symptoms that can appear to be similar to celiac disease, which is a condition whereby people have negative reactions to gluten.

Other commonly reported Benicar colonic side effects are:

• Severe, chronic diarrhea
• Severe, ongoing abdominal pains
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Cardiovascular difficulties
• Rapid and massive weight loss

Benicar FDA Warning

In July of 2013, the FDA made an announcement stating that this medication would from that point forward include a label warning regarding the risk of side effects including sprue-like enteropathy.

This announcement covered Benicar and drugs that were also marketed under the following names:

• Benicar HCT
• Azor
• Tribenzor
• Olmesartan medoxomil (generic equivalent)

The agency identified 23 serious cases presenting as late-onset diarrhea with significant weight loss and in some cases villous atrophy on biopsy. All patients improved clinically after discontinuation of olmesartan.

Are You Suffering Benicar Colonic Side Effects?

From 2002 to 2008, pharmaceutical maker Daiichi Sankyo spent nearly $1 billion promoting the product and making claims that their drug was safe and more effective than other hypertensive drugs on the market. Yet the use of this drug has now been linked to severe colonic side effects.

If you were prescribed an olmesartan drug marketed as Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, Tribenzor and generics, and suffered side effects such as sprue-like enteropathy, kidney failure, villous atrophy, chronic diarrhea, severe dehydration, malnutrition and/or severe weight loss, you may benefit from a free consultation with a Benicar attorney.

Jessica’s Benicar Colonic Side Effects Lawsuit is filed within In Re:  Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2606, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage.