Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are commonly known as heartburn medication that work by reducing the amount of stomach acid produced in the lining of a person’s stomach. Common PPIs are Prilosec (omeprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), and Prevacid (lansoprazole). PPIs are commonly used to treat symptoms of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic or stomach ulcers, and damage to the lower esophagus caused by acid reflux.
Prilosec was the first PPI introduced to the market, and has been available to consumers since 1989. Additional PPIs followed, and have been in mass production ever since. Common prescription and over the counter PPIs include:
Side Effects Associated with PPIs
Unfortunately, heartburn medications have been linked to serious side effects. Some side effects include:
- Increased risk of heart attack.
- Increased risk of bone fracture.
- Increased risk of low magnesium levels or hypomagnesemia.
New research now indicates that the use of PPIS may increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) by 20 to 50 percent in those who regularly took a PPI.
At McDivitt Law Firm, we feel that you deserve information that may be relevant to your rights as a consumer. We want to alert you to a potential claim regarding medications that you or someone you know may have previously taken. Currently there is no label on these drugs warning of the increased risk of CKD with their use.
We may be able to help if:
- If you used one of the PPIs listed above, and
- You developed a serious kidney problem, such as acute kidney disease, chronic kidney disease or acute interstitial nephritis.
If you or someone you know has taken Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, or another heartburn medication listed above and experienced any of the conditions mentioned above, please contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.