Zegerid Acute Interstitial Nephritis

Zegerid is an anti-heartburn drug that contains omeprazole, an antacid associated with hundreds of cases of acute interstitial nephritis.

Need a Texas Zegerid 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 acute interstitial nephritis, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

Zegerid Acute Interstitial Nephritis

Zegerid is an over-the-counter medicine that contains sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) with omeprazole, an antacid in the Proton-Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class.

Evidence linking omeprazole and acute interstitial nephritis has been growing for decades. In October 2004, AstraZeneca said it was aware of at least 200 cases worldwide.

It was not until a decade later — in December 2014 — that the FDA finally ordered AstraZeneca to update the label on Zegerid to include acute interstitial nephritis.

Studies Linking PPIs and Kidney Disease

A number of studies have confirmed that PPIs increase the risk of nephritis. One recent study published in CMAJ Open found that older adults on PPIs were 3X more likely to develop nephritis than non-users.

Another study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who used PPIs were 20-50% more likely to develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) than non-users.

What is Acute Interstitial Nephritis?

Acute interstitial nephritis is a kidney disorder in which the spaces between kidney tubules become swollen and inflamed. It is almost always caused by an allergic reaction to medications in the blood, and over 100 medications may be to blame.

Symptoms of Interstitial Nephritis

Interstitial nephritis can occur at any time in patients on Zegerid. The early warning signs can appear in just a few days, but it usually takes a few weeks before the patient is sick enough to visit a hospital.

The most common symptoms include:

• Kidney enlargement
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Rash
• Urine is bloody or cloudy
• Frequent or infrequent urination
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• And more

Complications

Patients who stop taking Zegerid soon after developing nephritis can usually recover near-normal kidney function. However, long-term kidney impairment is very common. Patients may also develop metabolic acidosis because the kidneys stop removing acid from the blood. They can also develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney failure. These complications can only be treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Need a Zegerid 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 Zegerid lawyers for a free lawsuit review.