Benicar is a popular brand of blood pressure medication that was recalled by its manufacturer. The drug contains propionic acid, which can cause serious side effects including kidney damage and death if taken in high doses or combined with other medications. In October 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Teva Pharmaceuticals for marketing Benicar HCT between 2007 ‒ 2009 without disclosing risks on their website or packaging labeling it as an over-the-counter product instead of requiring doctors’ prescriptions after two patients died from using the medication at home while not following doctor’s safety guidelines
The “benicar settlement 2020” is a lawsuit that has been brought against Benicar. The plaintiff in the case is seeking $1 billion in damages.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against medicine company Daiichi Sankyo after the blood pressure medication Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) and its sister products HCT Benicar, Azor, and Tribenzor were associated to major gastrointestinal harm.
Benicar has been associated to serious gastrointestinal problems. A $300 million settlement was reached in the Benicar litigation.
Benicar is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that has been authorized by the FDA to help people with hypertension decrease their blood pressure. Benicar maintains blood vessels dilated and helps treat high blood pressure by inhibiting angiotensin receptors, which may cause blood vessels to contract.
Unfortunately, the medicine has been related to serious gastrointestinal problems, including sprue-like enteropathy, a rare illness. Patients filed claims as a result of these adverse effects, which resulted in a $300 million settlement in the summer of 2017.
Adverse Effects of Benicar
Benicar may develop a GI illness called sprue-like enteropathy, which has symptoms that are similar to celiac disease. Lymphocytic colitis, microscopic colitis, and collagenous colitis are all possible side effects.
The following are some of the Benicar adverse effects that patients may experience:
- Diarrhea that persists
- Diarrhea that is severe
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Pain in the abdomen
- Weight reduction that is significant
- Bloating
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Failure of the kidneys
- Other issues with the stomach
These symptoms may appear months or even years after starting a Benicar regimen.
Benicar has been linked to gastrointestinal issues in studies.
In 2012, the Mayo Clinic discovered a relationship between Benicar and sprue-like enteropathy. Researchers looked at 22 individuals who were using olmesartan and had persistent diarrhea, as well as a median weight loss of 40 pounds. Fourteen of the patients needed to be admitted to the hospital. The first diagnosis was celiac disease, but blood testing revealed that this was not the case. Patients healed and gained an average of 27 pounds after they stopped using the medicine.
Patients healed and gained an average of 27 pounds after they stopped using the medicine.
Hundreds more identical instances were discovered at Mayo Clinic and other locations later in 2012, causing one researcher to suggest that the discoveries were only the “tip of the iceberg.”
The FDA launched its own investigation into 23 significant Benicar adverse event reports involving patients who had severe diarrhea and weight loss the following year. All patients in the FDA evaluation demonstrated improvement after they stopped using the medicine, similar to the Mayo Clinic research.
Another research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology in 2013 indicated that olmesartan usage caused damage to intestinal villi (tiny structures that facilitate digestion).
Approximately 20 research and case reports have been filed in lawsuits associating olmesartan products to gastrointestinal disorders.
Benicar Warnings from the FDA
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a Drug Safety Communication in response to its study of Benicar-related intestinal issues, stating that it has authorized label revisions for olmesartan to warn about the drug’s association to sprue-like enteropathy. Patients who experience enteropathy symptoms should stop using Benicar and start taking an alternative blood pressure medicine, according to the FDA.
The FDA further points out that other ARBs have not been linked to sprue-like enteropathy.
Kickback Scheme at Daiichi Sankyo
Daiichi Sankyo agreed to a $39 million settlement with the US federal government and state Medicaid programs in 2015, after charges that the company paid bribes to doctors who consented to prescribe its medications, such as Benicar, Azor, and Tribenzor.
Olmesartan Medoxomil is also known by other names.
The blood pressure medication olmesartan medoxomil is sold under the following Daiichi Sankyo brand names:
- Benicar
- Benicar HCT
- Azor
- Tribenzor
Mass Tort Lawsuit Against Benicar
Benicar claims filed in various jurisdictions were merged into a single multidistrict litigation (MDL, or mass tort) in New Jersey by a panel of federal judges in March 2015. The MDL finally aggregated almost 3,200 claims.
A mass tort is similar to a class action in that it collects a large number of comparable cases for faster processing. A mass tort, unlike a class action, permits each case to be processed separately. MDL plaintiffs have their own litigation, which may imply that patients who have been gravely wounded have a higher chance of achieving a reasonable financial recompense.
Suits result in a $300 million settlement
Daiichi Sankyo and plaintiffs who filed cases over Benicar and related medications agreed a $300 million settlement on August 1, 2017. Since January 2014, this fund has been used to pay any claims brought against the drugmaker. Attorney fees and the Claims Administrator will each get a share of this amount.
“We think a settlement is in the best interests of everybody, and will enable us to continue our focus on bringing to market breakthrough medicines that help people live healthy and fulfilling lives,” said Glenn Gormley, Daiichi Sankyo’s Executive Chairman and President.
Allegations in the Benicar Lawsuit
Drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo was accused in Benicar cases of:
- Products that cause major gastrointestinal injuries have been brought to market.
- Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, and Tribenzor were not appropriately cautioned about the risk of gastrointestinal damage.
- Despite knowing (or having enough knowledge to know) that Benicar and comparable medications are dangerous when taken as advised, misrepresented the safety of olmesartan products.
- Pharmaceutical goods that were designed to be faulty, hazardous, and fundamentally harmful.
- Benicar and comparable medications were not sufficiently tested.
- It failed in its responsibility to develop safe goods.
- Created items with a negative impact that significantly surpasses their positive impact
- Profits are prioritized before patient safety and well-being.
- As a consequence of these actions and omissions, patients have suffered injury and financial losses.
Benicar Lawsuits Examples
Plaintiffs have filed the following cases against Daiichi Sankyo:
According to a Benicar case filed in Ohio, the plaintiff had symptoms of intestinal and/or colonic illness, including chronic diarrhea, fast weight loss, nausea and vomiting, starvation, weakness, dehydration, and renal failure, after starting Benicar. According to the complaint, the woman was hospitalized many times for her symptoms and needed expensive medical testing and treatment, which resulted in a major financial burden as well as agony and suffering.
The plaintiff claims that she was prescribed and taken Benicar HCT, which caused her to suffer chronic diarrhea, significant weight loss, nausea, vomiting, starvation, and dehydration, according to a complaint filed in California. Due to these symptoms, she was taken to the hospital for many days. Because there was no established relationship between Benicar and gastrointestinal issues at the time, the plaintiff claims she endured long and expensive therapy that provided no relief. The plaintiff stopped using Benicar HCT after reading an FDA warning regarding Benicar and sprue-like enteropathy, and her symptoms went away, she stated.
Two men reported that using Benicar caused them to develop serious intestinal disorders such as sprue-like enteropathy, colitis, and intestinal malabsorption, which resulted in chronic diarrhea, fast weight loss, nausea and vomiting, starvation, and renal failure. The patients claimed that they were hospitalized and underwent monitoring, screening, and testing for their intestinal issues, and that their Benicar usage caused them financial losses as well as agony and suffering.
The majority of plaintiffs:
- Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, or Tribenzor were used.
- Injuries to the gastrointestinal tract were severe.
- As a consequence of Benicar-related injuries, you have suffered losses (such as financial losses, bodily and emotional pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and so on).
Those who feel Benicar was to blame for a loved one’s death have also filed lawsuits.
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The “benicar recall 2021” is a lawsuit against the drug Benicar. The lawsuit alleges that the drug was responsible for causing serious health problems in many patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a recall on Benicar HCT?
A: Benicar HCT is safe to use. There has been no recall on it and there are no safety concerns for anyone using the drug.
Why was Benicar taken off the market?
A: Benicar is a medication which was taken off the market because it caused severe allergic reactions or nosebleeds in some users.
Is there a recall on Olmesartan HCTZ?
A: It is difficult to say whether or not there is a recall due to the fact that many things are recalled on an ad-hoc basis. However, it would be safe to assume that since this drug has been around for some time now and was only recently removed from other countries like Canada, its likely not going anywhere anytime soon.
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