Drug maker Daiichi Sankyo has agreed to pay as much as $300 million to settle a class action lawsuit about the blood pressure medication Benicar and the company’s failure to warn of the gastrointestinal illnesses the drug may cause. The class action includes approximately 2,300 claims.
If you are part of this class action, the deadline for opting in to the settlement is Sept. 15, 2017. If you suffered an injury while taking Benicar, you have until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 23 to file a claim.
Our defective drug attorneys can help you file the necessary paperwork to opt in to the settlement or help you pursue a Benicar lawsuit. We are prepared to provide aggressive representation to secure fair compensation for your injuries.
Settlement Terms
Daiichi Sankyo maintains that its proposed settlement is not an admission of liability, as it still believes all the Benicar lawsuits are without merit.
The settlement will not affect the company’s bottom line because it will be funded by several insurance policies, according to Daiichi Sankyo.
The settlement will not be finalized unless 95 percent of claimants in the class action file paperwork to opt in.
Benicar Side Effects
Using Benicar for the treatment of high blood pressure has produced severe gastrointestinal symptoms in some patients, including sprue-like enteropathy, according to a Mayo Clinic study. Many symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy resemble those associated with Celiac disease, including:
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
- Severe and ongoing diarrhea
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Rapid and/or elevated heartbeat
- Poor nutrient absorption
- Stomach cramps
The Mayo Clinic study led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require labeling on Benicar and sister medications Benicar HCT, Azor and Tribenzor to warn consumers of the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.
The FDA communication about updated labeling also warns that if patients experience symptoms but are not diagnosed with Celiac disease or sprue-like enteropathy, they should discontinue use of Benicar. Research has shown that symptoms can improve once Benicar use is stopped. However, in some cases, symptoms persist for months or years after Benicar treatment has ceased.
In addition to gastrointestinal side effects, Benicar has been associated with other medical issues. Clinical trials have shown:
- Of 250,000 patients taking Benicar or similar drugs for five years, over 25 percent were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetics who have taken Benicar are at a higher rate of fatal cardiovascular disease, versus type 2 diabetics who took other medications.
An FDA black box warning was issued in 2012 advising pregnant women to discontinue Benicar use as soon as possible due to risk of injury or death to the fetus. Benicar and similar drugs have been shown to cause lung hypoplasia and skeletal deformation in fetuses.
Contact a Defective Drug Attorney at Our Firm Today
Defective medications are incredibly dangerous for patients, causing potentially severe personal injuries. The skilled dangerous drug attorneys of Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC pursue negligent pharmaceutical manufacturers, seeking maximized compensation for the damages their products have caused.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our lawyers today to discuss filing a Benicar claim. We accept cases on a contingency basis and are only paid if we secure compensation for you.
Call 1-877-692-3862 or complete our Free Case Evaluation form now.
RELATED POSTS
Invokana Lawsuit
Class Action Lawyers