Prevacid Acute Lawsuit

Free Confidential Prevacid Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was injured by Prevacid side effects, you should contact our law firm immediately for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a suit against Takeda Pharmaceuticals or other drug manufacturers and a Prevacid lawyer can help.

Update: PPI Acid Reflux Drugs Increase Stomach Cancer Risk by up to 250%, Study Finds

According to the British Society of Gastroenterology, extended use of PPIs (3 years or more) can elevate your risk of life-threatening stomach cancer by up to 250%, a new study [1] has found.

For short-term treatment, the drugs have proved safe for blocking too much 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, the researchers found.

Overview

Manufactured and marketed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Prevacid (also called Prevacid NapraPAC) is a prescription and over-the-counter slow-release capsule used to reduce the amount of stomach acid produced in the body.

Prevacid was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May 1995 and is part of a family of dangerous drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are designed to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease.

Prevacid and other proton pump inhibitors are extremely popular and widely used, with doctors writing nearly 115 million prescriptions for the medications each year nationwide.

Other Takeda Pharmaceuticals Lawsuit We’ve Taken On:

• Uloric Lawsuit
• Actos Lawsuit
• Oseni Lawsuit
• Nesina Lawsuit

PPIs and Kidney Disease

As claimed by the JAMA Internal Medicine, prevacid and other heartburn medications from the PPI class have been linked to a risk for chronic kidney injuries, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine [2] on Jan. 11, 2016.

The researchers suggested that the 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).

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the researchers looked at rates of acute kidney injury among 10,482 subjects in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. [3]

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.

Chronic Kidney Disease Stages

There are 5 stages of patients who developed kidney disease which are based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a test that estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli — tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood — each minute:

• Stage 1 (90+ GFR) – Normal kidney function but urine findings or structural abnormalities or genetic trait point to kidney disease.
• Stage 2 (60-89 GFR) – Mildly reduced function and other findings point to kidney disease.
• Stage 3A (45-59 GFR); Stage 3B (30-44 GFR) – Moderately reduced kidney function.
• Stage 4 (15-29 GFR) – Severely reduced kidney function.
• Stage 5 (<15 or on dialysis) – Very severe, or end-stage kidney failure (also referred to as established renal failure).

CKD Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:

• Little or no urine when you try to urinate
• Swelling in the legs and feet
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea/vomiting
• Feeling confused, anxious and restless, or sleepy
• Pain in the back just below the rib cage (flank pain)

Side Effects of Prevacid and Statistics

Patients taking PPIs may have an increased risk of developing the following serious side effects:

• Acute interstitial nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
• Kidney risks
• Serious kidney injury
• 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)
• Other serious health problems

Among 10 482 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, the mean (SD) age was 63.0 (5.6) years, and 43.9% were male.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 13.6% of adults in the United States, is associated with a substantially increased risk of death and cardiovascular events, and accounts for a disproportionately large burden on the financial resources of Medicare.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States, and it has been estimated that between 25% and 70% of these prescriptions have no appropriate indication.

Related Articles:

• Prilosec Lawsuit
• Prevacid Cancer Lawsuits
• Side Effects of Prevacid

PPI Suits Centralized in New Jersey

August 4, 2017 – The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) on Wednesday ordered that all federally filed Prevacid lawsuits and other PPI lawsuits will be consolidated in the District Court in New Jersey for pretrial handling.

The panel’s ruling marked an about-face from its previous opinion on the matter, having 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 adequate warnings in Prevacid lawsuits — AstraZeneca and Pfizer — are now in support of it, according to JPML.

Study Finds Risk of Death with PPI Heartburn Medications

July 5, 2017 – As claimed by the BMJ JOurnals, PPIs like Nexium/Prilosec have been linked to a 25% greater risk of kidney transplant and death compared to patients who took H2 blockers, according to a study published Monday in BMJ. [4]

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.

PPIs Linked to Increased Risk of Pneumonia in Dementia Patients

April 5, 2017 – Dementia patients who take PPIs like Nexium/Prilosec 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, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, and antipsychotic use.

PPIs Linked to Increased Risk for Heart Failure, Death

March 23, 2017 – According to the PLOS Organization, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) heartburn medicines have been linked to an increased risk of heart failure and death in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a recent study published in PLOS ONE. [5]

The researchers found that PPIs like Nexium/Prilosec are commonly used to prevent complications in CAD patients treated with chronic antiplatelet therapy (aspirin, Plavix, Effient); however, when used in this capacity, PPIs may increase the risk of adverse health consequences including kidney disease, pneumonia, micronutrient deficiencies, and osteoporosis-related fractures.

MDL Proposed for Prevacid Serious Kidney Injury Product Liability Lawsuits

October 20, 2016 – Patients who suffered serious kidney injuries after taking Prevacid and other PPI heartburn medications have filed a request seeking consolidation of class action lawsuits in an MDL in the Middle District of Louisiana.

Plaintiffs in proton pump inhibitor lawsuits allege that without the creation of an MDL, there exists “the possibility of inconsistent pretrial rulings exists, especially concerning the proper scope and extent of discovery, causation, and other factual and legal issues.”

Related Article: Prevacid Class Action Lawsuit

Case Study Finds Heartburn Drugs Increase Risk of Rhabdomyolysis

September 26, 2016 – A new case study suggests that a skeletal muscle disorder known as rhabdomyolysis may be another potential side effect of proton pump inhibitors.

According to the Medicine Journal study, the Organization described a 45-year-old patient who developed the condition shortly after being treated with an intravenous dose of Nexium (esomeprazole) for chest pain. The findings were published in last month’s edition of Medicine. [6]

Acid Reflux Drugs Linked to Brain Problems, Fluid Buildup

September 1, 2016 – As claimed by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, a new study [7] has found that proton pump inhibitors may cause loss of brain function (hepatic encephalopathy or “HE”) and fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites).

The study’s original objective was to determine the efficacy of a treatment for ascites.

However, they found that PPIs may cause abdominal fluid accumulation and HE, a loss of brain function that occurs when the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood.

Study Finds Increased Kidney Failure, Cardiovascular Complications w/ Proton Pump Inhibitors

August 19, 2016 – Prevacid and other proton pump inhibitor heartburn medications have already been linked to several severe health risks like chronic kidney injury and acute interstitial nephritis.

According to the International Journal of Cardiology, add cardiovascular complications in patients with heart disease to that list, according to a June study published in the International Journal of Cardiology. [8]

The researchers found that prolonged PPI use was associated with an increased risk for anemia, interstitial nephritis, lower weight, a worsening metabolic profile, and under-utilization of cardioprotective drugs (like statins and blood pressure drugs).

Check out the other similar dangerous drug lawsuits we’ve taken on.

PPI Heartburn Meds Linked to Kidney Failure… Again

April 14, 2016 – As claimed by the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, people who use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium / Prilosec are more likely than those who take histamine H2 receptor blockers (Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac) to develop health risks including kidney problems and renal failure, a new study [9] suggests.

Related Article: Zantac Attorneys

The new findings are based on the records of more than 173,000 VA patients who have been prescribed a PPI and over 20,000 other patients who took H2-blockers.

For 5 years, 15% of PPI users developed CKD, versus 11% of those on H2-blockers. After other factors were calculated, PPI users still had a 28% greater risk of serious kidney injuries.

FAQs

Have manufacturers been held liable for Prevacid injuries?

Manufacturers have faced numerous lawsuits and have been ordered to pay settlements and verdicts in several cases. Outcomes vary depending on the specifics of each case and the evidence presented.

Can I receive a free legal consultation for a Prevacid lawsuit?

Many law firms offer free initial consultations to discuss the merits of your case. This allows you to explore your legal options without financial commitment.

What should I do if I suspect my injury is linked to Prevacid use?

Document the incident and your symptoms, retain any medical records and proof of Prevacid use, seek medical treatment, and consult with a lawyer experienced in pharmaceutical litigation. Prompt action is essential for building a strong case.

Are there alternatives to Prevacid that do not carry the same risks?

Yes, there are alternative medications for treating acid-related conditions, such as H2 blockers and lifestyle changes. Consulting with a healthcare provider can help identify safer alternatives based on your specific condition.

Get a Free Prevacid 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 Prevacid lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently investigating potential Prevacid lawsuits in all 50 states.

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

Reference:

1. https://gut.bmj.com/content/67/1/28
2. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2481157
3. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/population-and-epidemiology-studies
4. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/6/e015735
5. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0169826
6. https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/Fulltext/2016/07190/Rhabdomyolysis_associated_with_single_dose.50.aspx
7. https://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hep.28737
8. https://www.internationaljournalofcardiology.com/article/S0167-5273(16)31065-8/abstract
9. https://journals.lww.com/jasn/pages/default.aspx