Prilosec is a heartburn drug that is linked to kidney inflammation (nephritis), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), stomach cancer, and other severe side effects.
Need a Texas Prilosec 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 other severe side effects, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Omeprazole and NDMA
In December 2019, the FDA issued an Safety Warning about the risk of NDMA (a toxic cancer-causing chemical) that has been found in several heartburn drugs, diabetes drugs, and blood pressure drugs. Dozens of medications have been recalled and hundreds of lawsuits have been filed by people with cancer.
Prilosec 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 Prilosec.
Prilosec Lawsuits Centralized in MDL
August 2017 — Judges have centralized 161 lawsuits involving kidney injuries from Prilosec 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 Prilosec 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
Prilosec 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.
Overview
Manufactured by AstraZeneca, Prilosec (omeprazole) was FDA approved on September 14, 1989 as a stomach acid reducer. It belongs to a group of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
Studies of PPIs and Kidney Problems
In January 2016, JAMA Internal Medicine published a study linking the daily use of PPIs with a 20-50% increased risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). People who use Prilosec twice a day could be up to 46% more likely to develop kidney disease, according to researchers. The researchers suggested the patients on long-term treatment with PPIs should have kidney function routinely monitored.
In April 2015, CMAJ Open published a study by researchers on Canada who warned that older adults on PPIs could be 3-times as likely to develop nephritis and 2.4-times as likely to develop kidney injury. The conclusions of the study were based on data from 290,000 adults in Ontario who were at least 66 years old. All of the patients started long-term treatment with PPIs between 2002 and 2011.
FDA Issues Warning About Bone Fractures
On May 25, 2010, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication notifying patients and doctors about the possible increased risk of wrist, hip and spine fracture associated with PPIs.
The FDA cited seven published studies that used data from computerized administrative databases to evaluate the risk of fractures of the hip, wrist and spine in patients treated with PPIs compared to individuals who were not using them.
Bone Fractures
Several recent studies reviewed by the FDA suggest PPIs like Prilosec may be associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist or spine. Those most at risk include patients over the age of 50 who have received high doses of PPIs (usually above the dosage of an OTC version of the drug) and/or taken it for one year or longer.
While the FDA has concluded that OTC doses of Prilosec are unlikely to result in osteoporosis or bone fracture, the FDA is revising the labels on prescription-level PPIs to include information regarding the possible risk of bone fracture. The new safety information is based upon the FDA’s review of several different studies that found a correlation between spine, wrist and hip fractures and PPI users.
Side Effects
- Kidney failure
- Acute interstitial nephritis
- Stomach cancer
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Nephritis
- Bone fractures
- Low magnesium levels
- Tetany (muscle spasm)
- Infections
- Arrhythmia and heart problems
- Seizures
Heartburn Drugs Linked to Heart Attack Risk
In June 2015, PLOS One published a study of 2.9 million people that found a 16-21% increased risk of heart attack associated with the use of heartburn medications in the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) class, such as Prilosec and Prevacid.
Low Magnesium Levels
In March 2011, the FDA warned in a Safety Communication that Prilosec and other PPIs may be associated with risks of hypomagnesemia, a condition characterized by low serum magnesium levels, if taken for a prolonged period (usually over one year, but some cases developed after only 3 months).
As of March, the FDA identified at least 50 cases of hypomagnesemia, likely caused by heartburn medications like Prilosec. This condition can be dangerous because it may lead to tetany (muscle spasms), irregular heartbeats, fast heartbeat, seizures, tremors, chest pain, and dark urine. Hypomagnesemia is difficult to treat and often requires patients to discontinue PPI use in order for magnesium levels to return to normal.
Prilosec and Plavix
The FDA announced in November 2009 that Prilosec and Prilosec OTC users should avoid using the drug with the anti-clotting drug Plavix (clopidogrel). Data suggest that when patients take both simultaneously, Plavix’s ability to prevent blood clots may be decreased by half. Plavix is prescribed to prevent blood clots that could lead to heart attacks or strokes in at-risk patients.
Need a Prilosec 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 Prilosec lawyers for a free lawsuit review.