A Benicar lawsuit adds to the growing multidistrict litigation stemming from allegations of severe gastrointestinal Benicar side effects including chronic diarrhea and kidney failure.

Plaintiff Richard W. of West Virginia is suing Daiichi Sankyo Inc. and Forest Pharmaceuticals for personal injuries and economic loss related to the use of the blood pressure medication Benicar. 

Richard claims that after taking the medication, he experienced Benicar complications including sprue-like enteropathy, villous atrophy, malnutrition, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Richard are seeking financial compensation for claims of negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and unjust enrichment.

The Benicar Chronic Diarrhea Lawsuit is In re: Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 1:15-cv-07435-RBK-JS and MDL No. 2606, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage. 

Hypertension Medication Overview

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Benicar (generic: olmesartan) in 2002 in order to treat high blood pressure.

By 2013, the FDA ordered an update to Benicar’s warning label in order to make patients aware of potential side effects like severe and chronic diarrhea. According to the federal agency, sprue-like enteropathy can take months or even years to develop after starting Benicar. Benicar is one of eight ARB medications, but according to the FDA it’s the only one linked to gastrointestinal complications, including chronic diarrhea.

Often times, Benicar patients are misdiagnosed as having celiac disease because its not always easy or known to link the gastrointestinal complications to Benicar. However, according to Benicar lawsuit plaintiffs, the symptoms cease once they discontinue taking the medication.

Some of the most common Benicar side effect includes sprue-like enteropathy and villous atrophy. These medical conditions occur when the intestinal lining is damaged and often require hospitalization.

Other reported Benicar side effects include:

• Nutrient malabsorption
• Significant weight loss
• Severe abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rash and hair loss
• Arthritis

Benicar Lawsuits

By 2012 nearly 1.9 million Benicar prescriptions had been filled, making it one of the most widely prescribed blood pressure medications on the U.S. market.

Despite its popularity, the FDA began receiving adverse event reports shortly after its release from Benicar consumers who alleged the hypertension drug caused severe side effects, like chronic diarrhea.

Numerous Benicar lawsuits have been centralized into a multidistrict litigation. In general, these complaints allege that the manufacturer failed to warn of the possibility of being diagnosed with sprue-like enteropathy. Often times, spouses join Benicar lawsuits and sue for loss of consortium, which means a loss of intimacy; these claims usually end up with a higher financial award.

In general, plaintiffs state that had they been warned to seek medical treatment if they developed chronic diarrhea or other symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy, they could have avoided unnecessary pain and suffering and permanent intestinal damage.

Filing a Benicar lawsuit may help plaintiffs recover from the high medical costs of treating chronic diarrhea. If you suffered from Benicar side effects, contact a Benicar attorney to find out if you have legal claim.