Class Action Lawsuit Against Prevacid
Heartburn Drug Side Effects

What is Prevacid?

Prevacids and other similar prescription and over-the-counter heartburn drugs are used to treat certain health problems (such as acid reflux, duodenal ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease) caused by excessive stomach acid.

The heartburn drug works by decreasing the amount of stomach acid your body produces. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, persistent cough, and too much acid in the stomach.

Proton pump inhibitors help heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, help prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus.

Related Articles: Prevacid Lawsuit Update

Proton Pump Inhibitors Linked to Chronic Kidney Disease

Prevacid and other heartburn medications known as proton pump inhibitors have been linked to a risk for chronic kidney injuries and other serious health problems, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine on Jan. 11, 2016.

Researchers from the American Medical Association suggested that widespread use of PPIs like Nexium/Prilosec may be one of the reasons kidney injuries have risen faster than would be expected from known risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension).

For the study, the researchers looked at rates of acute kidney injury among 10,482 subjects in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Patients were followed up for a median of 13.9 years. At baseline, 322 (3.1%) of test subjects used PPIs regularly.

After adjusting for variables, they found that taking Prevacid was associated with a 20-50% risk of chronic kidney disease.

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Side Effects

Patients taking PPI medications may have an increased risk of developing the following serious health risks:

• Acute interstitial nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
• Kidney risks
• Decreased kidney function
• Serious kidney injuries
• Acute kidney injury
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Kidney failure (renal failure)
• Kidney transplant
• Gastric cancer
• Zollinger Ellison Syndrome
• Heart attack
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Abdominal pain
• Bone fractures (hip fracture, wrist fracture, spine fracture)
• Broken bones
• Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia)
• Even death
• Other potential risk factors

Although the dangers of proton pump inhibitors have been known for some time, the Food and Drug Administration has only recently taken action to warn consumers of the dangerous side effects of these drugs – Your Legal Justice said

According to Consumer Safety, Numerous studies have linked Prevacid to an increased risk of certain kidney conditions. AstraZeneca Nexium and Prilosec have also been linked to kidney risks. [1]

Consumers have reported a range of kidney injuries including interstitial nephritis and chronic kidney disease.

Related Article: Prevacid Side Effects

Kidney Failure Symptoms and Statistics

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and weakness
• Sleep problems
• Urinating more or less
• Decreased mental sharpness
• Muscle cramps
• Swelling of feet and ankles
• Dry, itchy skin
• High blood pressure (hypertension) that is difficult to control
• Shortness of breath, if fluid builds up in the lungs
• Chest pain, if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart

Researchers compared the risk of chronic kidney disease between PPI users and nonusers. Those using Prevacid and other PPIs had a 20 – 50% higher risk of chronic kidney disease.

PPI Acute Kidney Injury Lawsuit Allegations

To date, more than 15,000 lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of prescription versions of heartburn drugs including Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, and Dexilant — as well as over-the-counter Prilosec OTC, Nexium 24HR, and Prevacid 24HR.

The lawsuits argue that manufacturers failed to warn PPI users and medical professionals about the possible acute interstitial nephritis risks as the companies became aware of them.

Some Prilosec lawsuits allege that drug manufacturer AstraZeneca and other drug manufacturers including Takeda Pharmaceuticals knew of the increased risk of serious kidney injuries for at least 10 years before providing adequate warnings to the public.

As of January 2020, there were 13,40 PPI product liability lawsuits pending in federal court — out of a total of 15,164 class action lawsuits that had been filed. A judicial panel combined the PPI lawsuits into multidistrict litigation, or MDL, in August 2017.

The number of lawsuits grew quickly, tripling during the first three months of 2019 alone. By mid-2019, it had become the second-largest mass dangerous drug litigation in the United States.

Attorneys expect the MDL could include thousands more Prevacid class action lawsuits.

FAQs

1. What Are the Main Allegations in the Class Action Lawsuit Against Prevacid?

The main allegations claim that Prevacid causes serious side effects, including kidney damage and fractures, without adequate warnings provided to consumers about these risks.

2. What Are the Potential Side Effects of Taking Prevacid?

Potential side effects of Prevacid include kidney damage, bone fractures, vitamin B12 deficiency, and gastrointestinal issues, which may require medical attention and monitoring.

3. Who Is Eligible to Join the Prevacid Class Action Lawsuit?

Individuals who have suffered severe side effects like kidney damage or fractures after using Prevacid may be eligible to join the class action lawsuit.

4. How Can I Join the Class Action Lawsuit Against Prevacid?

To join the Prevacid class action lawsuit, consult with a specialized attorney, provide medical records, and file a claim to seek compensation for damages.

Get a Free Prevacid Class Action Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Pharmaceutical Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the legal representation of plaintiffs in proton pump inhibitor lawsuits. We are handling potential Prevacid class action lawsuits nationwide and currently represent clients of Prevacid-induced injury cases in all 50 states.

Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you had kidney damage after taking a heartburn medication, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a Prevacid class action lawsuit and our lawyers can help.

Reference:

1. https://www.consumersafety.org/drug-lawsuits/prevacid/