A new Benicar lawsuit was recently filed in federal court. The lawsuit alleges that Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories and their subsidiaries failed to provide sufficient research and failed to warn about serious risks of gastrointestinal disorders associated with using the medication.

The Benicar lawsuit was brought by George K., of Texas. According to the lawsuit, George was prescribed Benicar suffered physically after taking the medication.

Benicar, generically known as olmesartan, is a popular medication used to treat high blood pressure. The medication works by using an active ingredient that is designed to block angiotensin II, a naturally occurring chemical released in the body that can raise blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to tighten and narrow. By blocking this chemical, Benicar relaxes and widens the body’s blood vessels allowing the blood to flow freely.

In July 2013 the FDA issued a Drug Safety Warning that the hypertension medication could cause intestinal problems known as sprue-like enteropathy. According to the FDA symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy include severe and chronic diarrhea as well as substantial weight loss.

Other symptoms of Benicar gastrointestinal problems include electrolyte imbalance, villous atrophy, along with other gastrointestinal problems. Villous atrophy is a condition that causes permanent intestinal damage. It is caused by the deterioration and decay of the villa lining the intestinal walls.   This stops the intestine from absorbing necessary nutrients.

These symptoms can develop months to years after a patient begins taking the medication. Due to this delayed onset many physicians are slow to link the Benicar to the onset of symptoms. This can cause many patients to be a misdiagnosed with conditions such as celiac disease.

Overview of Benicar Lawsuits

Several Benicar lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers. The lawsuits claim that the manufacturers failed to perform the necessary studies about the risks and side effects associated with taking the blood pressure medication.

The lawsuits generally claim that Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories violated consumer protection laws. Claims filed against Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories typically include negligence, strict products liability, breach of warranty, fraud and misrepresentation, as well as punitive damages.

In some cases, a victim’s spouse may join the lawsuit as a co-plaintiff in order to bring a loss of consortium claim. Loss of consortium claims are brought by a spouse claiming a loss of services or loss of spousal intimacy.

Awards and settlements from these lawsuits will help pay both past and future medical bills as well as compensate victims for their pain and suffering. These lawsuits also help to hold pharmaceutical manufacturers responsible for their actions and remind these companies that they owe their consumers a duty of care.

The decision of whether to bring a lawsuit is a choice that should be made on a case by case basis with the advice of a legal professional.

The Benicar lawsuit is case number 1:15-cv-04101-RBK-JS, filed in the United States District Court in the District of New Jersey.