Daiichi Sankyo is facing growing legal trouble as a new Benicar lawsuit is added to the multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the company.

This Benicar complaint alleges similar claims as other lawsuits, that use of the the hypertension medication causes a number of Benicar side effects including gastrointestinal injuries like sprue-like enteropathy along with kidney failure.

According to the Benicar lawsuit, Arkansas plaintiff Thomas M. started using Benicar in 2011 and began suffering gastrointestinal problems soon after.

The injuries reported by Thomas in his Benicar lawsuit include both permanent GI problems and kidney failure. More specifically, the Benicar side effects he suffered consisted of nausea, vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, villous atrophy and sprue-like enteropathy.

The Benicar lawsuit indicates Thomas will have permanent gastrointestinal problems to contend with, while villous atrophy will cause him to suffer nutrition absorption problems.

Villous atrophy is a condition in which the small intestinal tract loses its total ability to absorb nutrition from food, causing dehydration and malnutrition problems for the patient. With the chronic nutrition deficiency, kidney failure can potentially develop in Benicar patients like Thomas.

Thomas’ Benicar lawsuit will be standing alongside similar claims in the MDL, filed by other patients who experienced adverse Benicar side effects.

These claimants allege Daiichi Sankyo failed to warn them against Benicar side effects when the company allegedly knew the severity of the complications.

Overview of Benicar Side Effects

Benicar (olmesartan) is one of the most popular treatment choices for the millions of Americans who suffer from hypertension and high blood pressure.

Combined with healthy diet and exercise, Benicar can reduce the chances of cardiovascular problems and other adverse health conditions. This drug is a part of the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) drug class, which works by dilating the blood vessels to reduce pressure and ease circulation.

However, a number of patients have reportedly started experiencing sprue-like enteropathy and other symptoms often associated with Celiac disease.

Numerous Benicar patients were misdiagnosed with Celiac disease until scientists from the Mayo Clinic in 2012 found a potential correlation between Benicar and the gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Mayo Clinic found Benicar patients had reportedly developed chronic diarrhea and weight loss soon after taking the medication. The FDA issued a public safety warning regarding Benicar side effects in July 2013, stating that the symptoms could be similar to Celiac disease.

Even though the symptoms reportedly improve after patients stop taking Benicar, patients should only discontinue it under physician supervision. Even with the severity of these complications, Daiichi Sankyo did not list them as Benicar side effects.

Benicar Lawsuit Information

Thomas filed his Benicar lawsuit alleging the company failed to warn him against these complications and is seeking compensation for his medical bills and other benefits. Many other patients have done the same, claiming the company knew of the side effects before the FDA announcement.

The Benicar Lawsuit is filed in the larger multidistrict litigation In Re: Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2606, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage.