Prilosec Kidney Disease

Persons Harmed by Kidney Problems from Prilosec: Prilosec Kidney Failure and Kidney Disease and Who is Eligible to File a Prilosec Lawsuit

Research shows that Prilosec, a popular drug used to treat heartburn and acid reflux, poses life-threatening risks and is widely overused. Once thought to be a relatively safe type of drug, Prilosec is now linked to chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury such as interstitial nephritis, kidney failure, and other serious side effects. Persons and the family members of persons who have suffered from Prilosec kidney problems or other significant side effects while taking Prilosec may have legal grounds to file a Prilosec lawsuit.

About Prilosec

Prilosec (omeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drug, which blocks the production of stomach acids in order to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dyspepsia, peptic ulcers and other gastro-intestinal conditions, and to prevent upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cardiovascular conditions. Prilosec is effective because it prevents the body from producing stomach acid, yet this is also the source of some Prilosec side effects.

Prilosec was first approved in the United States in 1989. Prilosec is available in tablets and capsules at a range of dosage amounts. It is also available as a powder, used for IV injection. AstraZeneca’s patent on Prilosec expired in 2001, and generic versions of the drug are now sold.

Understanding Prilosec Kidney Disease

Stomach acid is vital to the body’s digestion, and also serves the purpose of protecting the body from pathogens that are ingested. By blocking the production of stomach acids, PPIs impair the body’s absorption of essential vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, cause damage to the kidney, and make the body susceptible to C. difficile, a life-threatening digestive system infection.

For decades, Prilosec and other PPIs have been seen as effective and harmless prescription and OTC drugs. While Prilosec is only approved for severe GI problems, it has been widely used to treat minor heartburn. Research indicates Prilosec poses significant risks and dangers to patients and is widely overprescribed, with as many as 90% of PPI prescriptions being issued for indications not approved by the FDA.

Many patients take Prilosec when simple lifestyle changes, such as diet and weight loss, and less risky OTC drugs, such as Rolaids or Mylanta, would alleviate their symptoms. Research also shows that Prilosec is often taken far longer than advised by the FDA, and is routinely administered to infants and children. Prilosec and other PPIs have been aggressively marketed to doctors as safe and reliable, resulting in widespread overuse – exposing millions of Americans to unnecessary and life-threatening risks.

“We are using (PPIs) right and left, and it may be counterproductive for many patients.”
Dr. Pradeep Arora, Prilosec kidney failure researcher

Prilosec Kidney Problems

For some time, researchers have known that Prilosec can cause acute kidney injury and acute interstitial nephritis by 2.5 – 3 fold. Prilosec kidney injury and interstitial nephritis are short term kidney problems. When they recur, these Prilosec kidney problems can result in long term and life-threatening kidney damage.

Two new studies show Prilosec also increases the risk of chronic kidney disease, a long-term problem that can ultimately be fatal. Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys have sustained damage and can no longer filter blood effectively. Approximately 20 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease.

Researchers believe that taking Prilosec and some other PPIs can damage the kidneys through repeated interstitial nephritis or other kidney injuries. Another theory is that the decline of magnesium levels in the blood, which is a known side effects of Prilosec, may cause damage to the kidneys and result in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease from Prilosec increases the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, increases the risk of premature death, and can result in kidney failure, which requires dialysis or kidney transplant. Groundbreaking research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2016 shows that taking Prilosec increases the risk of developing chronic renal disease by 50%.

Prilosec Overuse

Many Prilosec users have been taking the drug for months or even years, often after the related problem was resolved. The 2016 Prilosec kidney disease study estimated that 25% of long term PPI users could stop taking the drug without any side effects. In other words, many patients are taking a drug – for no clear reason – that increases their chance of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular problems, and untimely death.

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Prilosec Kidney Failure Lawsuits

Filing a lawsuit will allow you to hold the pharmaceutical company accountable for damage it has caused you or a loved one, while also providing real compensation for your medical expenses, suffering and loss. Contact us today for a free consultation.