The heartburn medication Aciphex (generic: rabeprazole) has been linked to chronic kidney disease, renal failure, heart attack, stomach cancer, bone fractures, and other serious side effects.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was injured by Aciphex side effects, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and our lawyers can help.
Table Of Contents
- Update: Acid Reflux Drugs May Double Risk of Stomach Cancer, Study Finds
- What is Aciphex?
- PPI Heartburn Drugs Linked to Kidney Disease: Study
- Kidney Disease Symptoms
- Aciphex Side Effects
- FDA Warning on Aciphex
- Study Finds Increased Risk of Death with PPI Heartburn Medications
- PPI Kidney Injury Suits Centralized in New Jersey
- PPIs Linked to Increased Risk of Pneumonia in Dementia Patients
- PPIs Linked to Increased Risk for Heart Failure, Death
- PPIs Linked to Stomach Infections, Study Finds
- PPIs Linked to Rhabdomyolysis, Study Finds
- MDL Sought for Proton Pump Inhibitor Kidney Damage Lawsuits
- Aciphex Linked to Brain Problems, Fluid Buildup
- Aciphex May Increase Kidney Disease Risk, Study Finds
- Aciphex Linked to Cardiac Complications, Study Finds
- FAQs:
- Do I Have an Aciphex Lawsuit?
Update: Acid Reflux Drugs May Double Risk of Stomach Cancer, Study Finds
December 1, 2017 – Long-term use of PPIs can increase your risk of stomach cancer by up to 250% [1], a new study published in the journal Gut has found. For short-term treatment, the drugs have proved safe and effective in suppressing stomach acid production. However, for a small percentage of people who carry a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, the risk of developing stomach cancer increases dramatically when they take a PPI for an extended period of time, according to the study.
What is Aciphex?
Aciphex (rabeprazole sodium) is a popular proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erosive esophagitis, duodenal ulcer, as well as a number of other conditions. PPIs work by reducing the level of acid in the stomach by blocking acid production sites. Proton pump inhibitors are extremely popular, with doctors writing nearly 115 million prescriptions for the medications each year nationwide.
PPI Heartburn Drugs Linked to Kidney Disease: Study
Aciphex and other PPIs have been linked to long-term kidney damage, according to a January 2016 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine [2]. PPI users have a 20-50% increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to non-users, said Dr. Morgan Grams, assistant professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University and lead author of the study. The research doesn’t establish a causative link between PPI use and CKD; however, “We found there was an increasing risk associated with an increasing dose. That suggests that perhaps this observed effect is real,” according to Grams.
Kidney Disease Symptoms
- Changes in urination
- Swelling in the ankles, legs, feet and/or hands
- Fatigue
- Skin rash / itching
- Nausea / vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling cold
- Metallic taste in mouth / ammonia breath
- Dizziness / trouble concentrating
- Leg / flank pain
Also read: Prilosec kidney failure lawsuit
Aciphex Side Effects
Serious side effects of Aciphex may include:
- Acute interstitial nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
- Acute kidney injury
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Kidney failure (renal failure)
- Heart attack
- Stomach cancer
- Bone fractures (hip fracture, wrist fracture, spine fracture)
- Broken bones
- Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia)
FDA Warning on Aciphex
In May 2010, the FDA required that the safety labeling information for proton pump inhibitors like Aciphex be updated to include a warning about the risk of bone fractures associated with their use. The updated warnings came as the result of a number of epidemiological studies that reported an increased risk of bone fractures in individuals who took the drugs for a year or more. The majority of the studies evaluated patients over 50, and the increased risk of fracture primarily was observed in this age group.
Study Finds Increased Risk of Death with PPI Heartburn Medications
July 5, 2017 – Proton pump inhibitors have been linked to a 25% greater risk of death compared to patients who took H2 blockers, according to a study published Monday in BMJ [3]. The study also found that PPI use was linked to a 15% increased death rate compared to patients who took another kind of acid suppressor other than H2 blockers, and that the death rate was 23% higher among PPI users compared to people who took no such medications.
PPI Kidney Injury Suits Centralized in New Jersey
August 4, 2017 – The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) on Wednesday ordered that all federally-filed lawsuits involving kidney injuries from PPI heartburn drugs will be consolidated in the District of New Jersey for pretrial handling. The panel’s ruling marked an about-face from it’s previous opinion on the matter, having in February rejected a bid to create an MDL. The reason for the change was due to the litigation’s substantial increase in size since the initial ruling, and because 2 defendants who previously opposed centralization — AstraZeneca and Pfizer — are now in support of it, according to JPML.
PPIs Linked to Increased Risk of Pneumonia in Dementia Patients
April 5, 2017 – Dementia patients who take proton pump inhibitors have an 89% increased risk of developing pneumonia compared to dementia patients who don’t use the medications, according to a study published last month in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Independent risk factors for pneumonia included age, male gender, underlying cerebrovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and antipsychotic use.
PPIs Linked to Increased Risk for Heart Failure, Death
March 23, 2017 – Proton pump inhibitor heartburn medicines have been linked to an increased risk for heart failure and death in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a recent study published in PLOS ONE [4]. The researchers found that PPIs are commonly used to prevent complications in CAD patients treated with chronic antiplatelet therapy (aspirin, Plavix, Effient); however, when used in this capacity, proton pump inhibitors may increase the risk of adverse health consequences including pneumonia, micronutrient deficiencies, and osteoporosis-related fractures.
PPIs Linked to Stomach Infections, Study Finds
January 6, 2017 – People who take proton pump inhibitors like Aciphex may be at an increased risk for developing severe gut infections, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. The researchers found that among a cohort of 565,000 adults, patients who used PPIs had higher rates of infection with C. difficile and Campylobacter bacteria compared to those who didn’t take the medications.
PPIs Linked to Rhabdomyolysis, Study Finds
September 26, 2016 – A new case study has found that the use of proton pump inhibitors like Aciphex may increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis [5], a condition in which skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly. The study describes the case of a 45-year-old man who was hospitalized for persistent lower chest pain and treated with a single intravenous dose of Nexium (esomeprazole), after which he developed rhabdomyolysis. The findings were published in last month’s edition of Medicine [6].
MDL Sought for Proton Pump Inhibitor Kidney Damage Lawsuits
October 20, 2016 – Plaintiffs who filed lawsuits over kidney injuries from Aciphex and other PPI heartburn medications have filed a motion seeking consolidation of the complaints into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). At least 15 such complaints are currently pending in federal courts across the U.S. However, plaintiffs argue that hundreds or even thousands more suits are likely to be filed in the coming weeks and months.
Aciphex Linked to Brain Problems, Fluid Buildup
September 1, 2016 – Aciphex and other PPI acid reflux drugs may increase the risk of loss of brain function and fluid buildup in the abdomen, according to a study published in last month’s issue of Hepatology [7]. Fifty-two percent of patients in the study took proton pump inhibitors at some point during clinical trials. The Researchers found that these patients had a 31% cumulative 1-year risk for brain damage, compared to a 25% risk for those who did not take the drugs.
Aciphex May Increase Kidney Disease Risk, Study Finds
April 14, 2016 – People who take proton pump inhibitor (PPI) acid reflux drugs like Aciphex may be at increased risk of developing kidney disease, a study published today in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) [8] suggests. According to the research, PPI users were 26% more likely to suffer chronic kidney disease (CKD), and 96% more likely to develop kidney failure compared to patients who took histamine H2 receptor blockers (Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac), another class of heartburn drug used to suppress stomach acid.
Related Article: Zantac NDMA Lawsuit Attorneys
Aciphex Linked to Cardiac Complications, Study Finds
August 19, 2016 – The use of proton pump inhibitors like Aciphex may lead to cardiovascular complications in patients with preexisting heart disease, according to a June study published in the International Journal of Cardiology [9]. The researchers found that prolonged use of PPIs in these patients was associated with worsening of red blood count indexes, lower weight, and under-utilization of cardioprotective medications like statins and blood pressure drugs.
Related Articles:
- Prilosec Side Effects Litigation
- Prevacid (Lansoprazole) Lawsuit Case
- Dexilant Kidney Failure Case
- Vimovo (Esomeprazole and Naproxen) Case
See all related dangerous drug lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.
FAQs:
What Is Aciphex?
Aciphex is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcers, and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid.
What Is Acute Interstitial Nephritis?
Acute interstitial nephritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the kidneys’ interstitial tissue, which can lead to impaired kidney function.
What Is the Connection Between Aciphex and Acute Interstitial Nephritis?
The connection between Aciphex and acute interstitial nephritis is that Aciphex can cause this condition as a side effect, potentially leading to serious kidney damage and impaired kidney function.
What Are the Symptoms of Acute Interstitial Nephritis?
The symptoms of acute interstitial nephritis include fever, rash, blood in the urine, fatigue, and decreased urine output. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention promptly.
What Should I Do if I Suspect Aciphex Has Caused Acute Interstitial Nephritis?
If you suspect Aciphex has caused acute interstitial nephritis, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. Additionally, consulting with a lawyer who specializes in drug injury cases can help you understand your legal options.
Are There Any Legal Actions Against the Manufacturers of Aciphex?
Yes, there have been lawsuits filed against the manufacturers of Aciphex, alleging that the drug caused acute interstitial nephritis and that the manufacturers failed to adequately warn users of this risk.
What Kind of Compensation Might Be Available in an Aciphex Acute Interstitial Nephritis Lawsuit?
The kind of compensation that might be available in an Aciphex acute interstitial nephritis may cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
Do I Have an Aciphex Lawsuit?
The Pharmaceutical Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Aciphex lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently investigating potential settlements in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you were harmed by Aciphex, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a lawsuit and our lawyers can help.
References:
- http://gut.bmj.com/content/early/2017/09/18/gutjnl-2017-314605
- http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2481157
- https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/6/e015735
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0169826
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000473.htm
- http://journals.lww.com/md-journal/Fulltext/2016/07190/Rhabdomyolysis_associated_with_single_dose.50.aspx
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hep.28737/abstract
- http://journals.lww.com/jasn/pages/default.aspx
- https://www.internationaljournalofcardiology.com/article/S0167-5273(16)31065-8/abstract