Chances are many individuals have encountered various brand-name proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs while in their local drugstore or supermarket. Although the name may sound unfamiliar, PPI medications help reduce acid production in the stomach. Therefore, people take PPIs to relieve acid reflux or stomach ulcers in addition to other gastrointestinal conditions. However, these popular stomach acid reducers may cause severe and life-threatening injuries in patients. Reach out to us today to learn more about how a proton pump inhibitors lawsuit can benefit you.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals who suffered injuries after taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Lawsuits against the PPI manufacturers claim that long-term use of this class of medication may cause cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal cancer, some of which have led to death.
Doctors prescribe proton pump inhibitors to over 15 million Americans per year. Proton pump inhibitors are drugs that treat gastrointestinal conditions by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. These acid-reducing medications come in over-the-counter and prescription forms. Popular over-the-counter brand-name PPI drugs include Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid. People may take PPI medications to treat:
Proton pump inhibitors enter the bloodstream and stop certain cells in the lining of the stomach from producing excessive amounts of acid. Doctors typically instruct patients to take PPI medications on an empty stomach thirty to sixty minutes before a meal for best results. The frequency and dosage depend on the reason the patient is taking the PPI drugs.
Scientific studies have shown a link between chronic PPI use and adverse health conditions. For example, in 2017, JAMA published a study that concluded that PPIs may result in acute interstitial nephritis. PPI use is also associated with higher incidences of chronic kidney disease. Furthermore, a 2018 study by the National Institutes of Health on the risks of long-term use of PPIs suggests that chronic use may lead to infections, pneumonia, and dementia in addition to kidney disease. The research noted that PPIs are often taken for an extended period of time for off-label uses, which increases the risks of adverse health conditions.
Another study in the medical journal, BMJ, supported the notion that long-term use of PPIs may have fatal complications. This research verified that taking PPIs over many years is unsafe and may result in death due to cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, or upper gastrointestinal cancer. Also, studies suggest that alternatives to PPI inhibitors, such as H2 blockers, may be just as effective in treating gastrointestinal ailments without the added risks. A study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology examined roughly 200,000 patients for nearly five years. Those who took PPIs were at a 20% increased risk of developing kidney disease than those who took H2 blockers.
Extended use of proton pump inhibitor medications may result in:
Thousands of individuals have filed lawsuits against PPI manufacturers AstraZeneca, Takeda, and Pfizer for failure to warn consumers about the risks of PPIs. The lawsuits claim that manufacturers neglected to inform the public about the association between PPIs and kidney and cardiovascular damage. Plaintiffs claim that the proton pump inhibitor medications caused them to develop various acute kidney injuries and renal failure.
In August 2017, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized proton pump inhibitor lawsuits in multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the District of New Jersey. Since its consolidation, the number of lawsuits has grown rapidly. As of September 2023, over 12,828 proton pump inhibitor lawsuits are pending in MDL-2789. As of 2021, nine bellwether cases have been announced in New Jersey. Today, PPI litigation is one of the largest mass litigations in the country.
If you or a loved one developed health complications after taking PPIs, you may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
Plaintiffs allege that they would have reconsidered taking proton pump inhibitors if they knew about the potential health issues linked to the drugs. However, these individuals claim that PPI manufacturers denied patients the opportunity to weigh their options by not openly expressing the kidney risks tied to PPIs. Many individuals who took PPI drugs have endured permanent kidney damage and other long-term health effects. Our attorneys have worked diligently to hold large manufacturers accountable for hazardous drugs and reckless actions against the public. Don’t hesitate to speak with us today to see if you qualify for a proton pump inhibitors lawsuit.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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