A Florida man filed a lawsuit against Benicar’s manufacturers alleging that the blood pressure drug caused chronic diarrhea.

Plaintiff Terry M. filed the Benicar lawsuit against Daiichi Sankyo Inc. and Forest Pharmaceuticals over claims that he experienced severe Benicar side effects that he was not warned about including malnutrition, dehydration, sprue-like enteropathy, and intestinal injury.

The Benicar lawsuit is seeking financial compensation for allegations including negligent misrepresentation, fraud, unjust enrichment and breach of implied warranties.

Benicar Sprue-like Enteropathy Study

A Mayo Clinic report states that Benicar (olmesartan) may be associated with chronic diarrhea complications. Researchers say that the 22 patients they saw for unexplained sprue-like enteropathy were all taking Benicar and showed improvement once they discontinued taking the medication.

The Benicar side effects required hospitalization in 64 percent of those patients and celiac disease was ruled out in all cases. The Mayo Clinic reported their Benicar findings to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

FDA Benicar Warning

In 2013, the federal agency required Benicar manufacturers to include a chronic diarrhea side effect warning to the drug’s label. According to the FDA, sprue-like enteropathy can take months or even years to develop after starting Benicar. Benicar is one of eight ARB medications, but the FDA states its the only one linked to gastrointestinal complications including chronic diarrhea.

Benicar patients are often misdiagnosed as having celiac disease because the symptoms are similar. However, a gluten-free diet does not improve the medical condition. Side effects only cease when patients stop taking the medication.

Benicar Complications

The most commonly reported Benicar side effects include sprue-like enteropathy (chronic diarrhea) as well as villous atrophy. These medical conditions occur when the intestinal lining is damaged and often require hospitalization.

Patients report that other Benicar side effects include:

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

Benicar Chronic Diarrhea Lawsuits

Benicar lawsuits claim that patients were not fully informed of the chronic diarrhea side effects. In general, plaintiffs allege that if they had been warned they may have been able to avoid permanent intestinal damage.

Occasionally, spouses will join a Benicar lawsuit as a co-plaintiff and sue for loss of consortium, which means a loss of intimacy, which usually ends up with a higher financial award.

Those who file a Benicar lawsuit can receive financial compensation to help pay for hospital bills and medical costs of treating sprue-like enteropathy. A case review by an attorney can help you determine if you have legal claim at no cost to you.

The Benicar Lawsuit is In re: Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 1:15-cv-08315-RBK-JS and MDL No. 2606, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage.