A Tennessee resident is one of the latest plaintiffs to allege that Benicar caused severe gastrointestinal side effects.

Plaintiff Tori T. is a 52-year-old woman who began taking Benicar HCT at the advice of her physician in 2009. As a result of taking this medication, Tori experienced several Benicar intestinal injuries including chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, villous damage, and sprue-like enteropathy.

Tori has brought forth fifteen counts against the drug manufacturer including several counts of negligence and fraud, breaches of implied and express warranties, unjust enrichment, violation of Tennessee state consumer protection laws and punitive damages.

As compensation for her injuries, Tori is requesting compensatory damages, punitive damages, interest, costs of the lawsuit and any other relief deemed fair by the court.

Benicar Side Effects

Benicar (olmesartan) is a drug used to treat high blood pressure in adults by dilating the blood vessels in the body. The opened-up blood vessels allow blood to travel more freely, thereby reducing the pressure. This also prevents the heart from working so hard since it no longer has to push blood through such narrow vessels.

As with any medication, Benicar has a number of common, nonspecific side effects that are linked to its use. Joint and muscle pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, rash and itching are common with Benicar but are usually mild and resolve in a short period of time.

Benicar use also has a risk of some very severe side effects as well that could potentially compromise an individual’s health. The severe gastrointestinal side effects of Benicar can have far-reaching consequences.

One of the most common severe Benicar side effects is severe diarrhea. Benicar diarrhea is chronic and relentless, with episodes topping 10-20 per day. This leaves individuals feeling weak and tired, and can be so serious that it leads to electrolyte imbalance and malnutrition.

Patients are often unable to work or socialize because the chronic diarrhea is so severe, causing embarrassment and disruption of their normal activities.

Along with the chronic diarrhea, stomach pain is often present. When patients visit their doctor, he or she often suspects symptoms of Celiac disease in the patient.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease where a severe immune response to gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley and rye) damages the fingerlike projections called villi in the small intestine. This small intestine damage leads to malnutrition and malabsorption.

While most patients test negative for Celiac, they do end up being diagnosed with sprue-like enteropathy which mimics Celiac symptoms. The same type of villous atrophy (erosion of the villi) occurs with Benicar-induced symptomatology.

Patients can become very ill if they are unable to properly digest and absorb nutrients, so the damage can affect their whole body.

Benicar Lawsuit Information

If you or a loved one has suffered severe gastrointestinal side effects from using Benicar, you may be entitled to legal compensation as a result of your personal injury. A Benicar attorney will review your particular situation in a complimentary case review and can assist you in evaluating your legal options.

The Benicar Lawsuit is Case No. 1:15-cv-08313-RBK-JS in the U.S. District Court District of New Jersey Camden Vicinage and the Benicar MDL is In Re: Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2606.