Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid May Cause Kidney Disease
Heartburn drugs Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid are in a family of drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI). These popular drugs are taken for the treatment of heartburn, indigestion, gastritis, and acid reflux. The FDA approved these drugs only for short term use, but the drug companies have been aggressively marketing the drugs for daily use. The most ubiquitous example is the Prilosec TV ad featuring Larry the Cable Guy. Larry claims in the ad that he takes Prilosec OTC each morning for [his] frequent heartburn,” which is an unapproved, off-label use.
The manufacturers of PPIs like Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevcid have known for years that PPIs are associated with increased risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD)(including acute interstitial nephritis (AIN)), kidney failure, acute kidney injuries, and magnesium deficiencies. Australian scientists including Nimeshan Geecasinga published a study in May 2006 in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology concluding that PPI-induced AIN and chronic kidney disease are likely to become more frequent. Indeed, PPIs as a class of drugs are the most common cause of AIN. This causal relationship has significant public health implications due to the widespread extent of use of these drugs. According to Benjamin Lazarus, MBBS, co-author of one of the recent studies:
“More than 15 million Americans used prescription PPIs in 2013, costing more than $10 billion. Study findings suggest that up to 70% of these prescriptions are without indication and that 25% of long-term PPI users could discontinue therapy without developing symptoms. Indeed, there are already calls for the reduction of unnecessary use of PPIs.”
The authors of a recent cohort study, Adam Jacob Schoendeld, MD and Deborah Grady, MD, concluded that “A large number of patients are taking PPIs for no clear reason — often remote symptoms of dyspepsia or ‘heartburn’ that have since resolved. In these patients, PPIs should be stopped to determine if symptomatic treatment is needed.”
In December 2014, the manufacturers changed their packaging and labels to issue the first warning of an associarion between PPIs and AIN diagnosed by biopsy. The packaging and labels did NOT warn of the association between PPIs and acute and chronic kidney disease even though two recently published medical studies confirmed a significant increased risk of acute and chronic kidney diseases in patients taking PPIs.
Phelan Petty is investigating cases on behalf of patients who took Proton Pump Inhibitors Nexium, Prilosec, or Prevasid for heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux and developed kidney disease, including Acute Interstitial Nephritis.
Michael Phelan is a Virginia trial attorney who practices with a special focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, pharmaceutical and medical device claims, product liability cases, and truck accidents. Michael’s peers have consistently recognized him for his excellence as a trial lawyer, and his clients have praised him for his commitment to deep research, his outstanding communication skills, and his sincerity and dedication.