If you have been taking proton pump inhibitors and suffered injuries from broken bones or kidney issues, Join the Many. Together, we’ll demand justice and compensation from the manufacturer that harmed you.
What Are Proton Pump Inhibitors?
PPIs, as they are sometimes called, are medications designed to reduce the amount of stomach acid the glands in the lining of the stomach create. Too much acid can cause numerous health complications, including GERD and acid flux. This medication may also be used to treat stomach ulcers or damage to the lower esophagus brought on by acid reflux, according to The National Library of Medicine.
There are numerous types of PPIs, some of the most common include:
- Prilosec, or omeprazole (sold as a prescription or over the counter)
- Nexium, esomeprazole, (sold as a prescription or over the counter)
- AcipHex, rabeprazole (prescription only)
- Protonix, pantoprazole (prescription only)
- Prevacid, Lansoprazole (sold as a prescription or over the counter)
- Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate, Zegerid (sold as a prescription or over the counter)
- Dexilant, dexlansoprazole (sold as a prescription only)
These medications are heavily used. Many people do not have any symptoms of health complications from using them. However, others suffer significant illnesses from using these products.
What Are the Concerns with PPIs?
There are several key risks associated with the use of these medications. Even though millions of people are using them each year, many do not know about these risks, nor what they could mean for their long-term health. The National Kidney Foundation outlines several key concerns with these drugs that can create health risks.
Increased risk of chronic kidney disease
Medical research from the National Library of Medicine indicates there is a link between chronic and severe kidney failure and the use of PPIs. Studies indicate that the use of these medications can cause acute kidney injury as well as the development of chronic kidney disease over time. More so, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that the use of proton pump inhibitors, including lansoprazole and omeprazole, to reduce stomach acid can lower kidney function. The onset of kidney function often leads to a higher risk of early death, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
Kidney disease is difficult to treat and creates an ongoing health problem for many people. Some may need a kidney transplant, suffer through dialysis as a result of kidney failure, or die early because of a lack of treatment options.
Increased risk of fractures
The second area of concern related to the use of PPIs is the increased risk of fractures. A person taking these medications may be at a higher risk of fractures to the wrist, hip, or spine, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s data.
As far back as 2010, the FDA required the revision of prescription and over the counter medications to have labels added to them that these drugs could lead to the increased risk of fractures when taking the medications. Specifically, people taking high doses of these medications were at the greatest risk for these types of fractures. Many of the cases involved people who were over the age of 50.
Fractures like these are not just broken bones. Many people who have them suffer from long-term mobility limitations, chronic pain, and a higher risk of health complications due to the lack of ability to move, such as heart disease and stroke onset.
Low magnesium levels
A third key concern relates to the use of PPIs and their impact on magnesium levels. Magnesium is critical for muscle function and development. It also plays a role in the heart’s ability to beat properly. The FDA reported in 2011 that PPIs may lower serum magnesium levels, creating hypomagnesemia, if the drugs were taken for a longer period of time, often longer than just a year. For some people, daily use of PPIs is necessary to create results. It also noted that, in 2009, more than 21 million people were using these medications as prescriptions.
The FDA reported that in some situations, magnesium supplementation did not help improve outcomes. Some people had to stop taking PPIs to improve magnesium loads within their bodies. The FDA did not ban these medications or issue a recall for low magnesium concerns, but it did alert healthcare providers of the need to monitor for changes in blood work.
Did you suffer from any of these conditions after taking PPIs? You may be entitled to compensation. Let Join the Many provide you with a free, no obligation case review. If you have a case, we’ll connect you with an attorney who can help you immediately with no out of pocket cost to you.
Did the FDA Recall Proton Pump Inhibitors?
No, the FDA did not issue a recall for any of these medications for any of these concerns. It did issue warnings to alert patients as well as healthcare professionals to the possible risks associated with the use of these products.
That means that many people continue to use these drugs. As a result of that, many have suffered injury or illness as a result of continued use.
What Lawsuits Are In Play for PPI Use?
There are many risk factors when using PPIs. In some situations, such as in the case of the impact on fractured bone risks, the FDA required PPI manufacturers to place labels on their products to warn the public of the risks associated with them. However, a lack of labeling like this could impact many people and their overall health and wellbeing for other risks, including magnesium levels and kidney failure.
The most prominent lawsuits against proton pump inhibitors relate to kidney damage risks. These lawsuits claim that the medications cause damage to the kidneys, leading to health complications and that the manufacturers did not provide effective warnings about these risks prior to the person using them.
A number of lawsuits exist related to the kidneys, including due to the following:
- Development of kidney disease
- Onset of kidney failure
- Development of acute interstitial nephritis (AIN)
There are many manufacturers of PPIs. Some of those that are facing lawsuit claims like this include AstraZeneca, Proctor & Gamble, Pfizer, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
Many of the lawsuits state that the manufacturers did not take the steps necessary to ensure the product was safe and did not warn patients about the risks associated with the continued use of their products.
What Is the Status of the Lawsuits Against PPI Manufacturers?
Many people have come forward to make claims about the drug use and its impact on their health. For those who have suffered kidney disease or damage, medical bills, inability to work, and, in some cases, loss of life due to kidney failures are evident.
The status of these lawsuits continues to be pending. Many people have filed initial lawsuits in circuit courts throughout the U.S. As a result of this, a multidistrict litigation panel was established. This occurred in August 2017. It allowed for more than 200 cases for PPI claims to be consolidated to the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. This number grew to over 700 cases by 2019, and it is still growing.
The case, called Proton-Pump MDL 2789, continues to be in play. That means that no judgments have been made just yet, and there is a continued collection of claims and documents associated with the losses. The case is being overseen by Judge Claire C. Cecchi.
A multidistrict litigation (MDL) is a common step in cases like this. PPIs have been used by thousands of people for many years. As a result of this, there is the potential for thousands of people to have suffered losses related to these drugs. In most of these situations, the health complications and details are the same or similar. This allows for them to be consolidated into an MDL. That does not mean the individual cases do not matter – because they certainly do. What it means is that there is a judge overseeing all of those claims at one time.
Anyone with losses associated with PPIs can join the MDL. Join the Many can help connect you directly with attorneys who are already supporting people who are filing lawsuits against these manufacturers.
PPI Lawsuit Outcomes
The first cases for these claims began trials in 2021. Though there have not been any significant advances in many of those cases, there have been situations in which these manufacturers have paid out millions of dollars in other claims made against them.
For example, in 2012, Pfizer settled a $55 million lawsuit because of a false advertising claim. The company claimed that the product could be used for GERD, but the FDA did not approve its use for that need. Those people using Protonix, as a result, filed a lawsuit against the company and won. There are other situations like this as well.
As far as the claims against kidney disease, there have not been any noted settlements yet. However, there is an expectation that the first bellwether cases, which are often the very first cases to be heard on the matter, will result in claims. As a result of that, which can take several years, there may be many more awards for losses.
It is also important for individuals to keep the focus on the MDL decisions and litigation. These could result in a significant amount of compensation payout to those who file a lawsuit and are among those within these claims.
How Do You Know If You Should File a Lawsuit?
This type of litigation is tricky because though there is ample evidence of it, the FDA has not recalled or required any changes to PPI manufacturers and their claims in relation to kidney disease. However, if you took these drugs – of any type listed above – and you developed kidney disease, kidney failure, or other kidney-related illness, you could be eligible for compensation and may be a part of these claims.
If you suffered any type of kidney-related losses due to your use of PPIs, you may have a legal right to compensation if you were not warned about the risks. Join the Many is working to help people who are facing these challenges, including huge losses for medical costs, dialysis, and even the loss of life due to the early onset of kidney failure.
We want to hear your story and educate you on your legal right to fight back. If your case qualifies, we’ll match you with a law firm that has proven success in building and fighting cases like yours, so you’ll be on your way to the justice you deserve.
There is no risk in contacting us. We are happy to answer any questions you have as these cases head to court and settlements occur in the coming months.
