As the Benicar class action lawsuit investigation continues, new research suggests that patients who experience abdominal pain could also potentially blame the blood pressure medication they’re taking.

Patients have reported suffering gastrointestinal side effects that have caused them to suffer dehydration and possible intestinal damage.

The new research mentioned not only suggests that Benicar can cause abdominal pain, but that it may be the only drug in its class to cause it. The research was published in the October 2014 issue of the Journal of Clinical Pathology, and stated that other angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) would not cause the pain patients were describing.

The research team was from Columbia University, and observed approximately 40 patients taking ARBs who had to receive upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as a result of severe abdominal pain. Half of those patients were using Benicar.

The study examined Benicar injury reports, which described patients experiencing potentially life-threatening diarrhea and severe abdominal pain, and compared them to patients who had taken non-olmesartan ARBs.

The findings revealed that the Benicar patients suffered from severe abdominal pain, along with symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy. While the patients taking other ARBs also experienced sprue-like enteropathy and other similar symptoms, they did not suffer the abdominal pain.

Researchers concluded that olmesartan drugs are linked to sprue-like enteropathy, and were the only ones linked to abdominal pains in the reports. The researchers reminded the public that those who were suffering from abdominal pain were no more likely to suffer from other Benicar side effects like diarrhea.

However, most patients who have reported abdominal issues with olmesartan drugs like Benicar, Azor and Tribenzor have also experienced sprue-like enteropathy.

Despite this study, it is currently unknown whether or not other ARBs like Teveten, Cozaar, Atacand, Avapro, Diovan and Micardis can also cause these symptoms. The Columbia researchers explain that further research is needed, but Benicar patients should be strongly aware of any Benicar side effects they could be experiencing.

Overview of Benicar Complications

Benicar and the other mentioned olmesartan drugs are manufactured by the Japanese pharmaceutical giant, Daiichi Sankyo.

Currently, over 11 million people per year are prescribed Benicar in order to treat their high blood pressure. Benicar was approved to sell in America by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 5, 2002.

However, recent medical reports indicate that this drug could potentially cause major gastrointestinal damage, which could lead to more severe Benicar side effects.

The first report published about these adverse effects was released in August 2012, after spending more than a decade on the market. The report was published by a group of independent researchers from the Mayo Clinic, which observed at least 22 Benicar patients who received treatment for celiac disease, after doctors misdiagnosed their condition.

This led the patients to contend with their symptoms longer than necessary, and potentially caused permanent gastrointestinal damage.

Even with this report, the FDA did not release the warning of Benicar sprue-like enteropathy until July 2013 after the injury reports reached a certain number. After this warning was released, the misdiagnoses for celiac disease decreased and patients reported that the symptoms resolved after they stopped taking Benicar.

However, for many patients, the damage to their intestines have already been done and they are seeking compensation. Across the country, thousands of patients are filing Benicar lawsuits against Daiichi Sankyo for failing to warn them about the potential Benicar side effects.

These patients state that there were no warnings or indications of gastrointestinal injuries and that they never would have used the drug if they had known about the possibility.