Three California residents have filed a joint Benicar lawsuit against drug manufacturers Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceuticals and Forest Laboratories LLC, alleging the companies’ failed to adequately disclose that the blood pressure drug is unsafe and dangerous.

Plaintiffs Louis V., Michael E., and Frances E. mutually claim in the Benicar lawsuit that they were injured as a result of Benicar use, a medication prescribed to treat high blood pressure.

According to the Benicar lawsuit, both Louis and Michael suffered from severe intestinal diseases known as sprue-like enteropathy and villous atrophy which resulted in chronic diarrhea, rapid weight loss and acute renal failure that required hospitalization and will require continuous future health screenings and monitoring.

Michael’s wife, Frances, claims that Benicar manufacturers had reason to know that Benicar posed a serious risk of harm to her husband and other consumers like him. She joins the Benicar lawsuit seeking loss of consortium as a result of Benicar side effects.

Benicar and Villous Atrophy

People who take Benicar may suffer from a condition known as villous atrophy. This is a disorder that causes the lining of the intestines to lose its texture and makes it difficult to absorb nutrients. This leads to malnourishment, and it can cause other digestive issues.

Benicar and Sprue-Like Enteropathy

Based on research identifying “clear evidence of an association between Benicar and sprue-like enteropathy,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an order on July 3, 2013 requiring that the makers of Benicar revise warning labels on this drug to reflect the risk of this gastrointestinal side effect.

Sprue-like enteropathy is a gastrointestinal condition that causes the following symptoms:

• Extreme weight loss
• Vomiting
• Chronic diarrhea
• Electrolyte imbalance

The connection between sprue-like enteropathy and Benicar was first made in June 2012 by researchers from the Mayo Clinic who documented 22 cases of Benicar patients who were experiencing celiac symptoms between 2008 and 2010.

When blood tests did not support a diagnosis of Celiac disease, these patients’ gastrointestinal problems were attributed to Benicar sprue-like enteropathy. In October of that same year, researchers from the American College of Gastroenterology identified 40 more cases where patients using Benicar were diagnosed with sprue-like enteropathy.

Benicar Lawsuits

Most Benicar lawsuits claim that Daiichi Sankyo and Forest Laboratories knew or should have known about Benicar’s risk of intestinal problems. So far, patients who suffered intestinal problems have filed many Benicar lawsuits. These patients suffer from chronic diarrhea, severe weight loss, nausea, and vomiting.

In some cases, patients require hospitalization to determine the cause of their ailment. Afterward, long-term medical care might be necessary. Expensive medical bills, lost income from time off work, and emotional distress can take its toll on patients and their financial stability. These Benicar lawsuits seek to recover those costs and more.

The Benicar lawsuit filed Jan. 12 is seeking compensatory, exemplary, and punitive damages, along with legal fees for Daichii Sankyo’s alleged concealment of the dangerous problems associated with Benicar.

The Benicar Lawsuit is Case No. 3:15-cv-159, in the U.S. District Court Northern District of California.