An Ohio resident is suing the Japanese pharmaceutical giant, Daiichi Sankyo, for allegedly concealing information about the dangerous side effects of the hypertension drug, Benicar. Plaintiff Annette J. claims that as a direct result of using Benicar, she developed a gastrointestinal disorder called sprue-like enteropathy and other symptoms, including chronic diarrhea.

Like many patients in America, Annette had been prescribed Benicar for hypertension, which would have ideally allowed her to stabilize her blood pressure levels. Annette claims that despite following all prescription instructions and taking the advice of her physician, she still developed severe side effects after using Benicar.

In the Benicar lawsuit filed December 5, Annette details the personal injuries she suffered from ingesting Benicar as sprue-like enteropathy, microscopic colitis, collagenous colitis, and intestinal malabsorption. Allegedly due to these injuries, she developed chronic diarrhea, sprue-like enteropathy, rapid weight loss, nausea, vomiting, malnutrition, dehydration, and acute renal failure. Before it had been determined that these side effects may have been caused by Benicar, Annette’s physician had misdiagnosed her to have celiac disease, which reportedly allowed her condition to worsen.

As a result, Annette took legal action against Daiichi Sankyo, the manufacturer of Benicar, for the injuries she suffered. She states that if she had known about the possibility of sprue-like enteropathy and other side effects of Benicar, then she never would have used the drug. Since there was no mention of these side effects on Benicar’s label, nor had Daiichi Sankyo given any notification to the plaintiff or her physician, Annette seeks to hold the drug company responsible for her injuries.

At this time, Daiichi Sankyo has admitted to no wrongdoing and insists that the safety of their patients is their top priority. However, the lawyers representing Annette state that Daiichi Sankyo had a responsibility to warn Benicar patients of the possible side effects of Benicar.

Benicar Complications

Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) is a prescription medication that is prescribed for patients with high blood pressure, which would ideally prevent more serious health complications like heart attacks. According to medical experts, 67 million Americans currently suffer hypertension and need medications like Benicar to maintain healthy blood pressure levels and to prevent life-threatening cardiovascular events. Despite the drug’s popularity, it has recently come under scrutiny for chronic diarrhea side effects and a debilitating gastrointestinal disorder known as sprue-like enteropathy. All across the country, patients have been reporting sprue-like enteropathy and other gastrointestinal side effects after using the hypertension drug.

Many of these patients have complained that they were misdiagnosed with celiac disease, due to the fact that their symptoms were similar. As a result of this common misdiagnosis, patients often suffer for months, which can cause permanent intestinal damage like villous atrophy, which prevents the small intestine from absorbing nutrients. Allegedly, Daiichi Sankyo had known about these side effects but deliberately concealed this information to protect the marketing value of Benicar.

Benicar Lawsuits

In July 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public warning announcement about Benicar side effects. Coupled with this warning and the fact that many Benicar patients are misdiagnosed with celiac disease, numerous injury reports against Benicar have been submitted. A class action investigation has been launched into Daiichi Sankyo’s marketing tactics and its alleged failure to protect patients against Benicar side effects.

The Benicar Lawsuit is Case No. 3:14-cv-02672-JGC, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division.