Benicar Lawsuits Keep Coming, Olmesartan Still on the Market

Newark, NJIt is no surprise that Benicar Lawsuits continue to grow exponentially, given the seriousness and negative impact to one’s health delivered by a diagnosis of sprue-like enteropathy. The latter is a serious gastrointestinal condition characterized by severe dehydration and diarrhea, and in some cases colitis. Such chronic suffering can and does result in severe weight loss.

The impact can be all the more grievous when an elderly patient is involved. Older Americans lack the strength, stamina and resilience to fight what can be a life-threatening condition that often results in hospitalization.

So what is Benicar, anyway?

The generic or scientific name for Benicar is olmesartan, a drug used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). The latter is a common occurrence amongst older Americans, for which medication such as Benicar is administered to lower blood pressure.

Benicar is not the only hypertension drug available. There are others in the angiotensin II receptor blocking class of drugs known as ARBs. However, what makes Benicar unique is that it remains the only ARB drug linked to sprue-like enteropathy. Not only that, but the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety warning in the summer of 2013, noting that data from the regulator’s Adverse Event Reporting System of Benicar side effects found “clear evidence” of an association between olmesartan (Benicar) and sprue-like enteropathy.

Little wonder lawsuits are growing so steadily, given that in many cases litigation can grow from the mere suggestion of an association. In this case, the US drug regulator notes “clear evidence.”

Sprue-like enteropathy can take years to emerge and often results in hospitalization. Plaintiffs in many a Benicar defective products lawsuit assert they had no idea as to the potential for Benicar Illness and Weight Loss when they were prescribed olmesartan for high blood pressure.

As Benicar lawsuits continue to be centralized for pre-trial proceedings, individual lawsuits keep coming. Amongst those filed in recent days alleging Benicar Illness and Weight Loss are Bond et al v. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. et al, Case Number 1:15-cv-07901; Schindler v. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. et al, Case Number 1:15-cv-07856; and Tourville v. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. et al, Case Number 1:15-cv-07922. All cases were filed in the first week of November and brought as part of In Re Benicar (Olmesartan) Products Liability Litigation, before Judge Robert B. Kugler in New Jersey.