Prevacid is a popular heartburn drug that has been linked to stomach cancer, nephritis (kidney inflammation), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and other side effects.
Need a Texas Prevacid Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with kidney failure or another severe side effect, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Prevacid and Stomach Cancer
In November 2017, a study published in the journal Gut found a doubled (2X) higher risk of stomach cancer for people who were on long-term treatment with heartburn medications in the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class, which includes popular antacids like Prevacid.
Prevacid Lawsuits Centralized in MDL
August 2017 — Judges have centralized 161 lawsuits involving kidney injuries from Prevacid and other PPI heartburn drugs into Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2798) under Judge Claire C. Cecchi in the District of New Jersey — In RE: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation (No. II). Drug-makers are accused of failing to warn that Prevacid can cause kidney injuries, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), acute interstitial nephritis, end-stage kidney disease, or kidney failure.
Study Links Heartburn Drugs and Death
July 2017 — A new study published in BMJ Open has found up to a 50% increased risk of death for people who use PPI heartburn drugs for 1-2 years instead of another type of heartburn drugs called H2-blockers. long-term use of PPI heartburn drug. Click here to read more.
Heartburn Drugs Causing Massive Health Problems
Prevacid Linked to 96% Higher Risk of Kidney Failure
April 2016 — A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology has linked the use of anti-heartburn medications in the PPI class to a 96% increased risk of kidney failure and a 26% increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Click here to read more.
What is Prevacid?
Prevacid (lansoprazole) decreased the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as “acid reflux,” a disease in which acid burns the esophagus and causes heartburn.
What is the problem?
Prevacid belongs to a class of drugs called Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPI). The FDA has issued numerous warnings about side effects like bone fractures, low magnesium, increased risk for infections, and kidney problems. It is not clear why PPIs are associated with kidney disease, but there are several theories. One is that PPI users experience repeated bouts of nephritis (low-level inflammation) that damages the kidneys over time. The FDA has also issued warnings about low magnesium levels, which could also cause kidney damage.
FDA Warning: Prevacid and Nephritis
In December 2014, the FDA updated the label on all PPIs to include stronger warnings about kidney side effects. According to the FDA, patients on Prevacid can develop sudden kidney inflammation due to an allergic reaction at any time during treatment.
This side effect is also known as acute interstitial nephritis, and it causes severe swelling in the kidneys. About 50% of people with nephritis develop symptoms of kidney failure. Symptoms of this condition can include:
- Blood in the urine
- Fever
- Increased or decreased urine output
- Drowsiness, confusion, coma
- Nausea, vomiting
- Rash
- Swelling of the body
- Weight-gain from fluid retention
Studies Link Prevacid and Kidney Diseases
People who take PPIs every day are 20-50% more likely to develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), according to a study published in January 2016 by JAMA Internal Medicine. Conclusions were based on data from 10,482 people who used PPIs or non-PPI heartburn medications like Zantac, Tagamet, or Pepcid.
The patients were followed up for a median of 13.9 years. Those who took a PPI twice a day had a 46% increased risk of CKD. The researchers cautioned that the study does not prove that PPIs causes kidney disease. However, they suggested that patients on long-term treatment could benefit from kidney function tests.
In April 2015, a study published by Canadian researchers in CMAJ Open found that older adults were 3-times more likely to develop nephritis and 2.4-times more likely to develop kidney injury if they were on long-term treatment with PPIs. The conclusions of the study were based on data from nearly 300,000 adults over 66 years old in Ontario.
Kidney Side Effects
- Kidney failure
- Acute interstitial nephritis
- Renal impairment
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Kidney inflammation
- And more
Prevacid and Kidney Failure
Nephritis and kidney disease are risk-factors for kidney failure. The kidneys are made of millions of tiny structures called nephrons that clean the blood, remove excess fluid, and make urine. When nephrons are damaged or inflamed, toxins and fluids accumulate in the body and cause health problems. Treatment options for kidney failure involve dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Need a Prevacid Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Prevacid lawyers for a free lawsuit review.
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