A Benicar lawsuit was filed by a South Carolina man against drug maker Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. for injuries sustained while taking Benicar (olmesartan), a pharmaceutical used to treat high blood pressure.

Plaintiff Gerald J. filed the Benicar lawsuit, claiming the drug caused him multiple physical conditions (including those of a life threatening nature), serious related symptoms and emotional distress.

Gerald was prescribed Benicar by his doctor and ingested it according to its intended and directed use. While taking the prescribed dosage, the plaintiff developed several gastrointestinal diseases including sprue-like enteropathy, lymphocytic colitis, microscopic colitis (collagenous colitis) and intestinal malabsorption.

Among other symptoms, these diseases resulted in chronic diarrhea, rapid weight loss, syncope (fainting), nausea, vomiting, malnutrition, dehydration and acute renal failure. These severe conditions led to several emergency hospital stays and further complications from the initial diseases and their subsequent treatment.

Gerald claims that his physicians, including hospital personnel, were not aware of the connection between Benicar and his conditions, and he was prescribed a strict gluten-free diet, steroids, and his appendix and gall bladder were removed.

The South Carolina man included several allegations in this Benicar lawsuit, such as product liability-failure to warn, negligence, fraud, infliction of emotional distress and violation of consumer protection laws.

Gerald is seeking to be awarded fair and complete compensatory damages for past injury, as well as to defer similar wrongful conduct by the defendants in the future.

The Benicar Lawsuit is Case No. 6:15cv1370-HMH, in the U.S. District Court for the Greenville District of South Carolina.

Overview of Benicar Side Effects

One of the most concerning side effects reported from Benicar consumers is chronic diarrhea, which consumer say is severe and chronic, and more than an uncomfortable annoyance.

Some have mentioned they can no longer work or travel, due to an inability to control their bowel functioning. Not only does this cause physical concern, it is emotionally distressing and affects career and social aspects of individuals as well.

Benicar diarrhea, while a serious issue itself, is often the result of more severe underlying problems. The diarrhea is a result of serious diseases of the gastrointestinal system, including conditions such as sprue-like enteropathy, a condition where the villi (fingerlike projections) in the intestine are damaged.

The villous atrophy along with malabsorption cause a condition much like Celiac disease. Malnutrition from the malabsorption of nutrients then ensues.

Additionally, large amounts of fluid are lost from the body when diarrhea is chronic, leading to dehydration and the sequelae of weakness, fainting, electrolyte imbalance and more.

Other potential Benicar side effects may include:

• Allergic reactions
• Changes in body salts (such as sodium and potassium) and fluids
• Dizziness or fainting
• Dry mouth
• Eye problems
• Injury or death to an unborn baby
• Kidney problems
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Nausea/vomiting
• Swelling of feet, ankles and hands
• Thirst
• Unexplained weight gain
• Weakness