A recently filed Benicar lawsuit joins the pending multidistrict litigation involving Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceuticals and Forest Laboratories and allegations that the companies’ failed to disclose the full nature and extent of the risk and side effects associated with using the drug.

Plaintiff J. Adrienne B., a resident of Macon County, Georgia claims that she began taking Benicar to treat her high blood pressure in October 2011 and was injured as a result of her use of the blood pressure drug.

According to J. Adrienne, Benicar side effects caused her to suffer dangerous personal injuries including gastrointestinal issues, severe chronic diarrhea, rapid and substantial weight loss, severe malnutrition, severe dehydration, nausea and vomiting for which she was subsequently hospitalized.

The Benicar lawsuit further alleges Daiichi Sankyo knew and, in fact, advertised and promoted the use of Benicar despite their failure to test or otherwise determine the safety and efficacy of such use.

As a direct and proximate result of Daiichi Sankyo’s widespread promotional activity, physicians began commonly prescribing the blood pressure medication as safe and effective.

What is Benicar?

Benicar is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications. It lowers high blood pressure in patients by helping the blood vessels in the body to widen and preventing constriction of the vessels.  This blood pressure drug is one of eight marketed ARB drugs, and the only one linked to sprue-like enteropathy.

An estimated 1.9 million people received prescriptions for Benicar or a related drug in 2012, and about 10.6 million prescriptions for Benicar products were dispensed altogether that year. It is the third highest selling ARB blood pressure medication on the market.

Benicar Side Effects

Benicar has a number of side effects, most of which are not severe. However, the severe side effects of Benicar include symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, nutrient malabsorption, and significant weight loss.

Additionally, the blood pressure medication may cause the serious gastrointestinal condition known as “sprue-like enteropathy.” Sprue-like enteropathy is similar to Celiac disease in that symptoms include chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive weight loss.

The main difference between sprue-like enteropathy and Celiac disease is that sprue-like enteropathy can only be alleviated by stopping the consumption of Benicar.

Benicar Lawsuits

Benicar has been associated with a number of gastrointestinal problems, including chronic diarrhea, vomiting, rapid and excessive weight loss, sprue-like enteropathy and intestinal inflammation.

These Benicar side effects can be so severe that they can cause hospitalization and even death. Many Benicar patients, like J. Adrienne, and their families are seeking justice against the drug’s maker by filing Benicar lawsuits for compensation.

The Benicar Lawsuit is Case No: 1:15-cv-05010-RBK-JS, in the U.S. District Court District of New Jersey Camden Vicinage and the Benicar MDL is In Re: Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2606.