Proton Pump Inhibitors May Cause Kidney Problems

Andrus Anderson represents victims who have suffered kidney-related injuries after taking proton pump inhibitors (“PPIs”). PPIs present an increased risk of kidney disease or kidney failure.

What are PPIs?

Our bodies naturally produce acid in order to help with food digestion. However, this acid is also a common cause of ulcers in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Proton pump inhibitors (“PPIs”) reduce the body’s production of acid, preventing ulcers or allowing them to heal. PPIs are used to treat many conditions, including:

–              Dyspepsia (also called “heartburn,” “indigestion,” or “acid reflux”);

–              Peptic ulcer disease (also called “acid peptic disease”);

–              Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or GORD);

–              Laryngopharyngeal reflux causing laryngitis and chronic cough;

–              Barrett’s esophagus;

–              Zollinger-Ellison syndrome;

–              Eosinophilic esophagitis; and

–              Stress gastritis and ulcers.

PPIs are one of the most-prescribed, and most-used medications in the world.

The most common brands of PPIs are Nexium and Prilosec (manufactured by AstraZeneca and Pfizer), but there are many PPI brands and manufacturers:

–              AcipHex and AcipHex Sprinkle (manufactured by Eisai);

–              Dexilant, previously called Kapidex (manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals);

–              Nexium, Nexium IV, and Nexium 24hr (manufactured by AstraZeneca);

–              Prevacid, Prevacid IV and Prevacid 24hr (manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and by Novartis);

–              Prilosec and Prilosec OTC (manufactured by AstraZeneca);

–              Protonix and Protonix IV (manufactured by Pfizer); and

–              Zegerid or Zegerid OTC (manufactured by Salix Pharmaceuticals and by Bayer).

The Dangers of PPIs

PPIs are capable of dramatically increasing a person’s risk for kidney related problems.  Specifically, patients taking PPIs have suffered from:

–              Chronic kidney disease (also called just “kidney disease” or “CKD”),

–              Acute kidney injury (also called “acute renal failure” of “AKI”),

–              Interstitial nephritis or infections, including pneumonia; and

–              End-stage renal failure (also called “end-stage kidney/renal disease” or “ESRD” or “kidney/renal failure”),

These injuries have required dialysis treatment, kidney biopsies, kidney removal, or transplant surgery. In some cases, these problems have led to kidney failure, or even death.

Recent research has shown that patients who took PPIs had an 81% increased chance of chronic kidney disease compare to individuals who did not take PPIs, and a 28% increased chance of chronic kidney disease, compared to patients who took a PPI alternative (i.e. histamine H2 receptor blockers).

The PPI Attorneys

The attorneys at Andrus Anderson have a proven success record of holding pharmaceutical companies responsible when the products they manufacture harm consumers.

Individuals who have suffered kidney-related injuries like those described above after taking PPIs may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer.

If you or a loved one has taken PPIs and suffered these kinds of injuries, contact Andrus Anderson now for a free, no-obligation, confidential case evaluation.