Did you or a loved one suffer kidney damage after taking a proton pump inhibitor?

Hundreds of patients claim to have experienced kidney failure because of a PPI drug. Our attorneys can help.

Did you see a television commercial informing patients of growing litigation around popular heartburn drugs, including Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium?

TV Ads Notify Heartburn Patients Of Kidney Injury Litigation

Most of these ads focus on kidney injuries, noting that drugs within the proton pump inhibitor class have been linked to severe forms of kidney damage. The commercials, produced by law firms, usually instruct viewers who experienced a kidney injury after taking one of these drugs to contact an experienced attorney immediately.

Hundreds of patients and families have already filed proton pump inhibitor, or PPI, lawsuits. While prior PPI litigation focused mainly on osteoporosis and bone fractures, a growing number of plaintiffs have accused pharmaceutical manufacturers of concealing a link between proton pump inhibitors and kidney failure.

The Problem With Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors are the world’s leading treatment for gastrointestinal disorders related to stomach acid. Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Zegerid and Dexilant all fall into this category.

Many of the most common intestinal conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, involve the over-production of gastric acid, which helps our bodies break down the food we eat into energy and nutrients. Proton pump inhibitors reduce the amount of gastric acid that your stomach creates, decreasing the painful side effects of many gastrointestinal conditions.

There’s a catch, though. As the US Food & Drug Administration notes, proton pump inhibitor drugs should only be taken for short periods of time. In general, the risks of these drugs outweigh the benefits during longer courses of treatment.

Risks Of Kidney Damage & Failure

Over the last five years, an emerging body of scientific research suggests that drugs within the PPI category, from Prevacid and Nexium to Zegerid and Dexilant, can increase the risk for both acute and chronic forms of kidney damage.

Patients who rely on proton pump inhibitors for longer periods of time seem to be more likely to suffer acute kidney injuries and chronic kidney disease, both of which remain leading risk factors for end-stage renal disease.

But you won’t find a single reference to these potential risks on any of the warning labels for proton pump inhibitor drugs. You will, however, find references to acute interstitial nephritis, a sort of allergic reaction that causes kidney inflammation.

Failure To Warn Claims

Researchers have known for over a decade that proton pump inhibitors can cause acute interstitial nephritis. Likewise, it’s well-established that acute interstitial nephritis can quickly progress to become acute kidney injury, in which the kidneys fail suddenly, or increase the risk for chronic kidney disease.

In their lawsuits, plaintiffs accuse multiple drug companies of ignoring this early warning sign, continuing to sell their medications without performing adequate research to evaluate the general risks that proton pump inhibitors may pose for kidney health. At the same time, many patients believe the manufacturers knew more than they let on, allowing unsuspecting people around the globe to take a class of drugs that caused them irreparable harm.

Free PPI Lawsuit Consultations

Our experienced attorneys don’t produce television commercials, but we are committed to helping injured patients. If you or a loved one suffered kidney damage after taking a PPI drug, contact our lawyers today for a free consultation.

You may be eligible to file a product liability lawsuit and pursue financial compensation for your damages. To learn more about your legal options, call the Rosen Injury Lawyers now to speak with a dedicated attorney.