Our lawyers are reviewing potential lawsuits for people who developed acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) after taking Aciphex (generic: rabeprazole), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) heartburn medication. AIN occurs when the kidneys are unable to filter wastes and fluid properly because of inflammation.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was injured, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.
What’s the Problem?
Acute interstitial nephritis is a rare but important cause of kidney failure (end stage renal disease or ESRD), and proton pump inhibitors are thought to be a leading cause of the condition. The first case [1] of AIN specifically linked to rabeprazole (the active ingredient in Aciphex) in the U.S. was reported in 2005. At least 4 cases [2] have been linked to the drug in Canada, as well as one in France [3] in which an 84-year-old woman underwent a renal biopsy because of rapidly progressive renal failure. Rabeprazole-induced AIN was diagnosed, and the study’s authors cautioned that the condition may complicate the course of any proton pump inhibitor treatment. Clinician's awareness of nephritis is essential for early diagnosis and prompt recovery, according to the researchers.
FDA Warning on Aciphex
In December 2014, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) updated Aciphex labels [4] to include a warning about acute interstitial nephritis. The agency said that nephritis is a hypersensitivity reaction that can occur at any time during treatment with Aciphex.
What is AIN?
Acute interstitial nephritis is characterized by the presence of an inflammatory cell infiltrate in the interstitium of the kidney. Untreated AIN can lead to kidney failure, and it is estimated that up to 15% of hospitalizations for acute renal failure may be due to the condition.
Nephritis Symptoms
- Blood in the urine
- Fever
- Increased or decreased urine output
- Mental status changes (drowsiness, confusion, coma)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Swelling of the body
- Weight gain
Treatment
The mainstay of treatment for acute interstitial nephritis is supportive therapy. After a diagnosis of AIN has been confirmed, potentially offending medications should be discontinued and underlying infections treated. If Aciphex is determined to be the likely cause of your nephritis, you may want to consider discontinuing treatment in favor of a heartburn drug with less severe side effects. However, you should never quit taking a medication without consulting your physician first.
Do I Have an Aciphex Acute Interstitial Nephritis Lawsuit?
The Pharmaceutical Litigation Group at our 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 accepting new nephritis cases in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you were diagnosed with acute interstitial nephritis after taking Aciphex, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.
