Zegerid and Interstitial Nephritis

Zegerid is an antacid medication that has been linked to acute interstitial nephritis, a severe type of kidney inflammation that often causes permanent renal impairment. In severe cases, it can cause kidney failure.

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

Overview

Zegerid is the brand-name for a combination of omeprazole, which is an antacid in the Proton-Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). These ingredients reduce stomach acid to relieve heartburn.

Zegerid and Interstitial Nephritis

The first case reports linking omeprazole and nephritis were published in the 1990s. In most cases, patients developed symptoms within three months, and some patients developed kidney failure. By 2001, there were 17 reports of nephritis associated with omeprazole.

FDA Updates Warning Labels

The FDA updated the label on Zegerid to include warnings about acute interstitial nephritis in December 2014.

Study: PPIs May Triple Risk of Nephritis

Older adults who use PPIs may triple their risk of nephritis, according to a study published in CMAJ Open in April 2015. The conclusions of the study were based on data from 290,000 adults over 66 years old in Ontario, Canada.

What is Acute Interstitial Nephritis?

Nephritis is a medical term for kidney inflammation, and acute interstitial nephritis involves sudden inflammation of the interstitial tissue. It causes swelling in the spaces between tubules, which are tiny structures that help the kidneys clean the blood.

Symptoms of Nephritis

• Blood in the urine
• Fever
• Increased or decreased urine output
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Confusion
• Nausea, vomiting
• Rash
• Swelling anywhere in the body
• Weight-gain due to fluid retention
• Kidney enlargement
• And more

Complications

The kidneys can heal from minor damage, but researchers warn that “permanent impairment of renal function is rather common in the disease.” Other complications include high blood pressure and fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). The longer nephritis goes without treatment, the higher the risk of long-term kidney failure.

Treatment

Interstitial nephritis is usually a short-term disorder that resolves after the patient stops taking Zegerid and any other medications that might be causing kidney problems — over 100 are known to cause nephritis, including Tylenol and aspirin.

Treatment becomes more complex if patients develop end-stage kidney disease, metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the body), or kidney failure. Patients may need to undergo dialysis to mechanically clean the blood. In severe cases, they may need 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.