Daiichi Sankyo is facing growing litigation as a new Benicar lawsuit is added to the multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of similar claims.

Each of the plaintiffs filing these Benicar MDL lawsuits allege they suffered serious Benicar gastrointestinal side effects, soon after starting the medication.

Benicar is one of the most popular high blood pressure treatment medications in the United States, and is prescribed in the millions on an annual basis.

However a number of patients have reportedly developed severe Benicar gastrointestinal side effects, resulting in chronic nutritional damage and other long term health consequences.

Mississippi plaintiff Tina C. is one of these patients, as she began feeling these Benicar gastrointestinal side effects soon after starting the drug in 2011.

According to Tina’s Benicar lawsuit, these Benicar gastrointestinal side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption, abdominal pain, sprue-like enteropathy, villous atrophy, colitis, and kidney failure.

Her lawsuit indicates she has problems absorbing the nutrition from food, and that she developed chronic kidney damage from using Benicar.

Tina’s injuries have been cited similarly in other Benicar lawsuits, alleging the company knew of the serious risks associated with the drug but failed to warn patients.

Overview of Benicar Gastrointestinal Side Effects

Benicar is an angiotensin II receptor blocker, which works by preventing angiotensin II from narrowing the blood vessels.

By inhibiting this function, Benicar allows the blood vessels to dilate and maximize circulation, ultimately preventing the chances of cardiac attack and cardiovascular disease. But soon after its release in 2002, Benicar patients began reporting serious gastrointestinal complications.

Initially Benicar patients had been diagnosed with celiac disease, with their symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy, chronic diarrhea, and rapid weight loss being widely associated with the condition.

A recent study, however, noted that the number of Benicar patients who developed sprue-like enteropathy had tested negative for celiac disease.

This study resulted in the FDA releasing a public warning in July 2013 regarding the risks of Benicar gastrointestinal side effects.

The agency warned that these Benicar gastrointestinal side effects could occur months or even years after drug treatment begins, and can result in hospitalization and chronic nutritional damage.

Tina is filing legal action against Daiichi Sankyo for failing to warn her against Benicar gastrointestinal side effects, and for allegedly exaggerating the benefits the drug could deliver.

Tina states that she never would have taken Benicar if she had known the risks associated with the drug. Tina is seeking compensation for medical damages and other damages incurred from her injuries.

Her Benicar lawsuit is now part of the Benicar MDL,  In Re: Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2606, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage.