Another lawsuit joins the multidistrict litigation (MDL) against drug manufacturers Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceuticals and Forest Laboratories LLC., alleging the companies failed to adequately test their olmesartan medications, such as Benicar and Tribenzor, subjecting consumers seeking treatment for high blood pressure to an unsafe drug.

Plaintiff Doris E. claims in her dangerous drug lawsuit that she was injured as a result of her use of the olmesartan drug, Tribenzor, a medication prescribed to treat her high blood pressure.

According to Doris, Tribenzor side effects caused her to suffer from a severe intestinal disorder known as sprue-like enteropathy, as well as chronic diarrhea, villous atrophy, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, colitis, malabsorption, and other serious intestinal injuries.

Olmesartan Side Effects

Benicar and medications containing olmesartan, including Tribenzor, have a number of side effects. Like most medications, many of these side effects are mild to moderate but may have a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life. In other cases, some patients who took olmesartan drugs like Benicar or Tribenzor report developing serious intestinal problems.

The most common side effects of olmesartan drugs include nausea and vomiting, swelling of the skin (angioedema) or liver/kidney impairment.

However, these medications may also cause a much more severe adverse reaction affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Benicar and other olmesartan drugs like Tribenzor may cause a Celiac-like illness affecting the intestines. This condition is known as “sprue-like enteropathy” because it is has symptoms that are similar to Celiac disease.

A 2012 article published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings concluded that Benicar is associated with sprue-like enteropathy. This serious intestinal condition is a severe side effect, may be extremely painful and may cause permanent injury, with many patients requiring hospitalization.

Symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy may include:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Chronic diarrhea
• Colitis
• Nutrient malabsorption
• Dehydration
• Villous Atrophy

In July 2013, the FDA announced Benicar would receive a label update to reflect the risk of sprue-like enteropathy. According to the FDA’s drug safety communication, this GI disorder can cause the above symptoms, and the condition may take months or years to develop.

Some patients who suffer GI illnesses from Benicar or other olmesartan drugs may have to visit multiple physicians and may require hospitalization. Some patients have also had permanent injury to the GI system which has resulted in the inability to absorb nutrients, systemic body inflammation, and the need for placement of a feeding tube.

Both patients and doctors have reported cases where stopping Benicar or Tribenzor use caused patients to recover.

Tribenzor and Benicar Lawsuits

Because of the serious side effects of olmesartan products like Benicar and Tribenzor, many patients have filed lawsuits against Daiichi Sankyo for injury and more filings are expected.

These lawsuits claim that Sankyo and Forest Laboratories had a duty to protect the public and properly conduct research and testing before making Benicar and Tribenzor available to the public.

The Tribenzor Sprue-Like Enteropathy Lawsuit is Case No. 1:15-cv-08786-RBK-JS, filed within the larger Benicar MDL In Re: Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2606, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage.