A Benicar lawsuit recently filed by a Pennsylvania resident claims, among other concerns, that his use of  Benicar led to loss of companionship with his spouse.

The Benicar lawsuit is part of the large Benicar multidistrict litigation (MDL) against manufacturer Daiichi Sankyo.

Francis L. is a 56-year-old man who began taking Benicar in 2012. As a result of taking Benicar, Francis claims he suffered personal and economic issues including, but not limited to: weight loss, nausea, vomiting, chronic diarrhea, dehydration, other intestinal or colonic disease manifestations, and out-of-pocket expenses.

Because of the these harmful physical and financial side effects, Francis is seeking to hold the makers of Benicar responsible for failing to warn about the dangerous side effects of Benicar.

Francis has brought forth sixteen counts against the drug manufacturer including products liability claims (including design defect and failure to warn), multiple counts of negligence, multiple counts of fraud, breaches of express and implied warranty, unjust enrichment, violation of Pennsylvania consumer protection laws, punitive damages, and loss of consortium (loss of intimacy or companionship with a spouse).

Francis is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, interests, costs of suit and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.

Benicar Side Effects

Benicar (olmesartan) is a drug used to treat high blood pressure, and has been approved since 2002. Benicar dilates the blood vessels in the body, allowing the blood to travel more freely within a less constricted vessel. This reduces strain on the heart since it no longer has to pump the blood through narrow passageways in constricted blood vessels.

Benicar has a number of common side effects which are seen with many other pharmaceuticals, including joint pain, muscle or back pain, lightheadedness, dizziness, mild itching or rash. Most of these side effects are mild and eventually dissipate after the use of the drug has been taken for a while.

The severe side effects of Benicar, however, can be devastating. Benicar may cause severe gastrointestinal effects, and these gastrointestinal issues can in turn affect the whole body.

Chronic diarrhea is a severe side effect of Benicar. While it is a condition that is more an annoyance than anything for those who experience it on occasion, Benicar diarrhea is excessive and harmful. Because a lot of fluid is lost with chronic diarrhea, individuals may develop severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Additionally, because the food eaten is quickly eliminated, the body cannot properly absorb nutrients, leading to chronic malabsorption and malnutrition. Severe stomach pain often accompanies diarrhea, as does weight loss from the malnutrition and malabsorption.

When patients taking Benicar visit a doctor, the health professional often initially suspects Celiac disease, a severe allergy to gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

While most patients test negative for Celiac, they do exhibit villous atrophy or sprue-like enteropathy found in Celiac disease. The villi are finger-like projections in the intestine, and these begin to flatten and degrade, leading to further malabsorption and malnutrition.

Benicar Lawsuit Information

If you or a loved one has suffered from severe gastrointestinal side effects as a result of using Benicar, you may be entitled to legal compensation. An attorney will review your particular situation in a complimentary consultation and can assist you in evaluating your legal options.

The Benicar Lawsuit is Case No 1:15-cv-06632-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.