Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used to treat heartburn, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by helping block a cell’s secretion (pumping) of acid into your stomach.
PPIs are among the most commonly used prescription drugs worldwide, with an estimated 15 million Americans taking them. According to Medscape, Nexium was the second-best selling drug in the pharmaceutical industry in 2013, generating over $6.1 billion in sales worldwide for AstraZeneca.
In April of 2016, the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) published a report that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium, can lead to an increased risk of kidney failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
In February of 2016, JAMA Internal Medicine published a study finding that taking Nexium and other antacid drugs increased the risk of CKD and kidney damage by 20-50 percent.
Both the JASN and JAMA studies utilized the national VA database to compare and study thousands of veterans taking PPIs. This group was compared to people taking H2 blockers (another group of medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced by the cells in the lining of the stomach). The study team concluded that people taking PPIs were at a much higher risk of new kidney problems than those people taking H2 blockers.
AIN is a kidney disorder in which the space between the kidney tubules becomes inflamed, which can lead to kidney failure. A lawsuit recently filed in July of 2016 alleges that the use of Nexium led to the development of AIN in a Tennessee man. The man began taking Nexium in 2003 to treat his GERD and ulcer disease, and now, because of kidney failure, requires ongoing dialysis. The FDA now requires AstraZeneca (the maker of Nexium) to include information about the risk of AIN on the Nexium warning label. Other proton pump inhibitors, like Prevacid and Prilosec, are believed to put users at the same risk.
Increase in stomach pain after quitting: Many people report that their stomach pain flares up after they stop taking PPIs, which makes them difficult to stop once you’ve started. This happens when the cells’ proton pumps get accustomed to being suppressed and when all of a sudden that inhibitor is no longer there, the cells can sometimes overreact by producing a large quantity of stomach acid which is no longer being blocked.
The JAMA study authors suggest talking with your Gastroenterologist and using caution when taking PPIs for long periods of time. If it is medically necessary to do so, make sure your kidney function is being routinely monitored by your doctor. The danger with some of these drugs is that they can be available over-the-counter (e.g. non-prescription Nexium) and can easily be abused or taken in unnecessary doses if the person does not consult with their doctor first.
Hundreds of lawsuits have already been filed against AstraZeneca (maker of Nexium) and other PPI manufacturers. Patients are claiming that the drug manufacturers failed to warn physicians and patients about the increased risks associated with the drugs. The patients are claiming that if they would have known about the risks, they would have chosen different drugs or different treatment options.
If you take a PPI and believe you are suffering from potentially harmful side-effects, there may still be time to bring a claim.
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured as the result of any dangerous or defective drug, call Gama Law Firm for a FREE case consultation and evaluation. Product liability attorney Richard Gama has been representing injured victims for more than 10 years and has the experience to help you understand your right to compensation after being exposed to a dangerous or defective product in Colorado.