One of the bestselling hypertension medications in the United States is reported to cause a life-threatening condition known as sprue-like enteropathy, a painful gastrointestinal disorder.

Plaintiff Patricia H. of Ohio filed a Benicar lawsuit alleging manufacturer Daiichi Sankyo was aware of the Benicar side effects yet intentionally misrepresented the drug as a safe, long-term blood pressure medication.

Patricia’s lawsuit says she was treated for Benicar side effects including chronic diarrhea, acute renal failure, severe anemia, weakness, nausea and extreme weight loss. The plaintiff claims she continues to suffer from her use of the hypertension medication.

Patricia is one of 45 million Americans under treatment for high blood pressure. After being recommended and prescribed the drug by her physician, Patricia states she began taking Benicar as directed.

The plaintiff alleges that the maker of the drug, Daiichi Sankyo Inc., its parent company Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., and Forest Laboratories Inc., knowingly deceived both U.S. consumers and the medical community by downplaying any serious Benicar side effects.

The Benicar lawsuit states “the drug was not accompanied by adequate instructions and/or warnings to fully apprise the consumers, including the plaintiff, of the full nature and extent of the risks and side effects associated with their uses.”

The Benicar Lawsuit is Case: 5:15-cv-00574-BYP, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division.

Benicar Warnings

The FDA approved the hypertension medication in April 2002. In July  2013, the FDA issued a warning that Benicar (and other olmesartan-containing products) cause the serious intestinal condition known as sprue-like enteropathy and urged the drug manufacturers to include that on their warning label.

However, Benicar lawsuits report that condition may take months, or even years, to develop. Sprue-like enteropathy has not been a side effect detected with any other blood pressure medications.

Patients unaware of the harmful effects of taking Benicar are seeking compensation for physical and mental damages. In 2012 alone, nearly 2 million U.S. patients received a prescription for an olmesartan-containing drug similar to Benicar and may have legal claim for suffering from  Benicar side effects.