Acid Reflux Drugs Linked to Kidney Disease and Cancer

What are PPIs?

Proton pump inhibitors, commonly referred to as PPIs, are a type of medication used to combat acid reflux (also called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD). While acid reflex may be the most common ailment that PPIs treat, it also is prescribed to help with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome that causes an overproduction of stomach acid, gastric ulcers, stomach ulcers and erosive esophagitis among many others. PPIs are most commonly prescribed to help patients that have regular gastric issues such as heartburn. By helping to decrease the production of proton pumps, PPIs reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. In doing so, any excess amount of acid, that can create discomfort and overtime harm individuals, can be controlled.

As one of the most commonly prescribed drugs on the market, PPIs generate nearly $10 billion in sales each year. With both prescribed options as well as over-the-counter (OTC) options, consumers have easy access to a wide variety of PPIs.

Commonly Prescribed PPIs

While many consumers may be unfamiliar with the medical classification of PPI, there are a handful of prescription PPIs that are household names that you may be familiar with.

· Nexium (Esomeprazole)

· Prilosec (Omeprazole)

· Prevacid (Lansoprazole)

· Dexilant (Dexlansoprazole)

· Protonix (Pantoprazole)

· Aciphex (Rabeprazole)

Despite the differing names, each PPI functions almost identically. The primary difference found between the major competitors is in the speed in which the PPIs take effect. While some are made to bring immediate relief, others are designed to release slowly into the body but promise longer periods of relief.

Known Side Effects

Since PPIs have come on to the market, they have been accompanied by a list of possible side effects. These side effects, while unpleasant, are rather mild. Common side effects of PPIs include:

· Headaches

· Diarrhea

· Constipation

· Abdominal pain

· Flatulence

· Fever

· Vomiting

· Nausea

· Rash

The risk of having to deal with one of these minor side effects is reasonable if the PPI can relieve more urgent issues at hand. Unfortunately, recent studies have shown that long-term use of PPIs is associated with major side effects that were never mentioned to patients.

Kidney Disease and Gastric Cancer

These major pharmaceutical companies failed to warn consumers of the potential dangers that patients may face after long term use of their products. Consumers were put at risk of major side effects, including kidney disease and gastric cancer (stomach cancer).

Studies have shown that if PPIs are prescribed over long periods, consumers are at a higher risk of kidney disease and ultimately kidney failure. As the PPIs limit the amount of acid produced in the body, the body’s ability to properly breakdown and extract waste from the body is affected. This failure can create a chain reaction that throws off the balance of bodily fluids and limits the ability to remove harmful waste from the bloodstream and body.

With an imbalance of waste throughout the body, those with kidney disease deal with a host of complications. On top of chronic sickness, kidney disease can cause high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), heart disease, weakened bones and nerve damage. If it is not caught early enough, kidney disease can lead to kidney failure and create life-threatening complications. Kidney failure can require patients to receive dialysis regularly or a kidney transplant just to survive.

Research shows that PPIs may increase the likelihood of kidney damage by almost 50 percent, yet no warning is given to consumers. For that reason, it is imperative to notice symptoms of kidney disease early so that proper treatment can be received. Early symptoms of kidney disease can be:

· Loss of energy

· Frequent urination

· Loss of concentration

· Trouble sleeping

· Loss of appetite

· Dry, itchy skin

· Swollen feet or ankles

Along with kidney disease, the sustained use of PPIs has also been linked to higher risks of gastric cancer by at least two times. While conservative numbers showed a two-fold increase, some research showed that PPIs are associated with an increased risk of over eight times the average. Across all types of cancer, gastric cancer was responsible for the third most deaths across the world in 2018. Consumers need to be made aware of the increased risk that PPIs can create. With little to no early onset symptoms, gastric cancer can often go undetected until it creates serious health issues or becomes life-threatening.

If you or someone you know has developed kidney disease, has suffered kidney failure or has developed gastric cancer while taking a PPI, we want to fight on your behalf. We believe that these pharmaceutical companies need to be held responsible for the damage they have caused. Their concern for profit has put their consumers in harm's way and we believe those effected deserve compensation for their pain and suffering. Complete the form on this page or call our legal intake center at 1(888) 438-6453 for a free and no-obligation review of your case. We’ll help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the process, and maximize your potential compensation often without ever stepping foot in court. If you do not receive a recovery through a lawsuit or settlement, you don’t owe us anything.

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