A new Benicar lawsuit has been added to the growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Daiichi Sankyo, with each claim alleging Benicar caused chronic diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.

Plaintiff Lenda W. had been prescribed Benicar in June 2012, to treat her hypertension and high blood pressure.

This new Benicar lawsuit filed by the Texas woman, alleges that the medication caused chronic gastrointestinal damage that will cause her to have constant problems in absorbing nutrients from food.

Benicar was supposed to lower the chances of heart disease for Lenda, while encouraging a healthier lifestyle and greater longevity. At no point before or after her prescription was Lenda warned against the potential gastrointestinal damage the drug could induce.

Lenda not only alleges Benicar caused chronic diarrhea, but also weight loss, nausea, dehydration, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

These complications could potentially cause permanent problems for the intestinal tract absorbing nutrients from food, leading to the constant worry of dehydration and malnutrition.

Overview of Benicar Complications

Benicar (Olmesartan) is one of the most popular hypertension medications in the United States, designed to treat high blood pressure.

This medication is meant to significantly lower the chances of heart disease, helping millions of Americans relieve their cardiac symptoms.

However, the blood pressure drug has been linked to a number of gastrointestinal complications, landing manufacturing company Daiichi Sankyo in hot water.

The alleged link between Benicar and gastrointestinal side effects was first noted in a 2012 study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, which observed the drug’s side effects in patients.

The researchers observed that it was possible Benicar caused chronic diarrhea and other gastrointestinal complications in patients, their subjects.

After the results were submitted to the FDA, the agency issued a public warning regarding Benicar gastrointestinal complications in July 2013.

Before this warning was issued, a number of Benicar patients had been misdiagnosed with Celiac disease after exhibiting gastrointestinal distress symptoms. Since the FDA’s warning, a number of patients allege that Benicar caused chronic diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Lenda is one of these patients who further allege they were not aware of the potential risks associated with the medication. Daiichi Sankyo purportedly knew of the risks for years, but had omitted the information from the drug’s warning label to protect Benicar’s market value.

Neither Lenda nor her physicians were aware of the risks until after the FDA issued the public warning, and state that Lenda would not have taken Benicar is she had known.

Lenda’s claim is joining a number of other similar lawsuits, alleging Benicar caused chronic diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Benicar Lawsuit is Case No. 1:16-cv-05367, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage Division.