A woman from Jackson County, Mississippi is joining thousands of others in filing a Benicar lawsuit against drug maker Daiichi Sanyko over severe Benicar gastrointestinal injuries.

Benicar is a medication that is used to treat hypertension, and it was originally approved for use in the United States by the FDA in 2002.  It was approved for use by children in the United States in 2010.

Benicar is manufactured by Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo, and it has been estimated that the drug is one of the most widely used in the world.

Fifty-two year-old plaintiff Mary Ann C. was prescribed Benicar in 2014. In her short-form complaint she alleges that as result of taking Benicar she suffered serious Benicar gastrointestinal injuries including but not limited to:

• Villous Atrophy
• Sprue-like Enteropathy
• Colitis
• Kidney Failure
• Malabsorption
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Abdominal Pain

Alleged Benicar Gastrointestinal Injuries

Mary Ann’s Benicar gastrointestinal injuries unfortunately are among the most adverse events reported in regards to the hypertension drug.  In fact, of the Benicar side effects associated with the use of the drug, sprue-like enteropathy appears to be the most severe.

Sprue-like enteropathy leads to symptoms that can appear to be similar to celiac disease, which is a condition whereby people have negative reactions to gluten.  Other commonly reported Benicar gastrointestinal side effects are:

• Severe, chronic diarrhea
• Severe, ongoing abdominal pains
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Cardiovascular difficulties
• Rapid and massive weight loss

Benicar FDA Warning

In July of 2013, the FDA made an announcement stating that this medication would from that point forward include a label warning regarding the risk of Benicar side effects including sprue-like enteropathy. This announcement covered Benicar and drugs that were also marketed under the following names:

• Benicar HCT
• Azor
• Tribenzor
• Olmesartan medoxomil (generic equivalent)

The agency identified 23 serious cases presenting as late-onset diarrhea with significant weight loss and in some cases villous atrophy on biopsy. All patients improved clinically after discontinuation of olmesartan.

Are You Suffering from Benicar Gastrointestinal Injuries?

In December 2014, a motion was filed with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, seeking to centralize cases filed throughout the federal court system before one judge.

Known as a Benicar MDL, such consolidated proceedings are designed to reduce duplicative discovery into common issues, avoid conflicting pretrial rulings from different judges and to serve the convenience of the parties, witnesses and the courts.

Following oral arguments in March 2016, a transfer order was issued that centralizes all Benicar gastrointestinal injuries lawsuits before U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler in the District of New Jersey to reduce duplicative discovery, avoid conflicting orders from different judges and to serve the convenience of the parties, witnesses and the courts.

If you were prescribed Olmesartan Medoxomil (marketed as Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, Tribenzor and generics) and suffered Benicar gastrointestinal injuries, such as sprue-like enteropathy, diarrhea, severe dehydration, malnutrition and/or severe weight loss, it is important that you receive legal help immediately.

Please contact an experienced attorney for a free case review.

Mary Ann’s Benicar Lawsuit is filed within In Re:  Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2606, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage.