A Benicar lawsuit was filed by a Maine woman who alleges the popular blood pressure medicine caused her to suffer several gastrointestinal side effects. Carole M., of Portland, Maine, said in her Benicar lawsuit that she began using Benicar after her physician prescribed the medication to treat her hypertension. While taking the medication, she allegedly began to suffer from chronic diarrhea, rapid weight loss, nausea, vomiting, malnutrition, dehydration and acute renal failure. Carole was eventually hospitalized due to her symptoms and had to undergo extensive testing by physicians and other health care professionals. According to the Benicar lawsuit, these symptoms were a result of Carole’s use of Benicar. Carole’s Benicar lawsuit claims that the defendants knew, or should have known, about the dangerous side effects associated with prolonged use of Benicar based on studies published in medical journals. The Benicar lawsuit further claims that Daiichi Sankyo and Forrest Laboratories intentionally and/or negligently failed to warn the medical community and consumers about the risks associated with taking the blood pressure medication.

FDA Warning

Benicar was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for the purpose of treating patients with hypertension. The blood pressure medication has become increasingly popular over the years and over 11 million Benicar prescriptions are written each year. In July 2013 the FDA issued a warning that hypertension drugs containing olmesartan medoxomil, like Benicar, could cause some patients to experience intestinal problems known as sprue-like enteropathy. The FDA also warned the drug manufacturers that their direct mail advertising was misleading and misstated the efficacy of Benicar.

Dangerous Side Effects of Benicar

Sprue-like enteropathy can be life-threatening to patients. Symptoms of the condition include severe and chronic diarrhea, substantial weight loss, and electrolyte imbalance. Many patients suffering from sprue-like enteropathy have to be hospitalized due to extreme weight loss. Sprue-like enteropathy can develop months to years after patients begin to use Benicar. Because of this delay in symptoms, many victims are unaware of the cause of their intestinal problems. Although symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy generally lessen once Benicar is stopped, many patients suffer permanent injury, such as villous atrophy. Villous atrophy is a condition caused by the deterioration of the villa in the intestines. When the villa are damaged, the intestines are unable to efficiently absorb nutrients and patients often suffer from malnutrition and weakened immune systems. This condition is often associated with celiac disease. In some cases, doctors have misdiagnosed patients taking Benicar with celiac disease, which can lead to unnecessary treatments.

Benicar Lawsuits

Several Benicar lawsuits have been filed against Daiichi Sankyo Inc., its parent companies, and Forest Laboratories. These Benicar lawsuits usually bring claims of products liability, negligence, breach of warranty, and fraud and deceit. The plaintiffs claim that had the drug manufacturers properly disclosed the serious side effects associated with taking Benicar, they would have chosen an less dangerous medication. Attorneys are working with these plaintiffs in hopes of recovering compensation for the victims’ medical expenses and pain and suffering. This Benicar Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-cv-00017-JAW, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine.