NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Even as kidney injury lawsuits involving Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors continue to mount in U.S. courts, new research is suggesting that the popular heartburn drugs could be associated with additional adverse health consequences. According to a study presented this week at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, proton pump inhibitors may increase an individual's risk for a first-time ischemic stroke.
For the study, researchers at the Danish Heart Foundation in Copenhagen analyzed medical records from nearly 245,000 Danish patients, average age 57, all of whom had undergone endoscopy to determine the cause of stomach pain and indigestion. Nearly 9,500 patients suffered their first ischemic stroke during the six-year follow-up. Overall, those using proton pump inhibitors were 21% more likely to suffer a stroke, with the highest doses associated with the highest risk. Certain proton pump inhibitors also appeared to increase the likelihood of a first-time ischemic stroke, with risk ranging from 30% for the highest dose of lansoprazole (Prevacid) to 94% for the highest dose of pantoprazole (Protonix).
"This study only serves to highlight the potential dangers that may be associated with the widespread use of proton pump inhibitors. Additional research has linked these drugs to a higher risk of heart attacks and dementia, as well as a greater likelihood of chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, and other serious renal complications," says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The Firm represents plaintiffs in proton pump inhibitor lawsuits involving chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, acute kidney injury, acute interstitial nephritis and other renal complications allegedly associated with use of the medications.
Proton Pump Inhibitors and Kidney Complications
Proton pump inhibitors like Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec and Protonix are indicated for the short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other peptic disorders related to the excess production of gastric acid. In 2013, more than 15 million Americans used prescription proton pump inhibitors, at a cost of more than $10 billion. However, it has been estimated that between 25% and 70% of these prescriptions have no appropriate indication.
In April, researchers writing in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology reported that long-term users of proton pump inhibitors may be 96% more likely to develop kidney failure and 28% more likely to develop chronic kidney disease compared to patients using another class of heartburn drugs called H2-blockers. Research published in the January issue of JAMA Internal Medicine also suggested that proton pump inhibitors might increase the risk of chronic kidney disease by as much as 50%. In April 2015, a study published in CMAJ Open linked the medications to a 3-fold increase in the risk for acute interstitial nephritis, as well as a 2.5 times higher risk of acute kidney injury.
Court documents indicate that more than a dozen lawsuits have been filed in various federal courts on behalf of individuals who allegedly suffered dangerous kidney complications due to their use of Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors. Last month, a Motion for Transfer was filed with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation requesting that all federal proton pump inhibitor lawsuits involving kidney side effects be centralized in a single U.S. District Court for the purposes of consolidated pretrial proceedings. (In Re: Proton Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation – MDL No. 2757)
Bernstein Liebhard is actively filing kidney injury lawsuits involving Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors. To learn more about proton pump inhibitor lawsuits, please visit Bernstein Liebhard LLP's website, or call 800-511-5092 to arrange for a free, no obligation case review.
About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993. As a national law firm, Bernstein Liebhard LLP possesses all of the legal and financial resources required to successfully challenge billion dollar pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As a result, our attorneys and legal staff have been able to recover more than $3.5 billion on behalf of our clients. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is honored to once again be named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List," recognizing the top plaintiffs firms in the country. This year's nomination marks the thirteenth year the firm has been named to this prestigious annual list.
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