What is a proton pump inhibitor?
Proton pump inhibitors[1] (PPIs) reduce the production of acid by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. Acid is necessary for the formation of most ulcers in the esophagus[2], stomach, and duodenum, and the reduction of acid with PPIs prevents ulcers and allows any ulcers that exist in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum to heal.
Proton pump inhibitors are used for the prevention and treatment of acid-related conditions such as:
- Duodenal stomach ulcers[3]
- NSAID-associated ulcer
- Ulcers
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Kidney Disease and Proton Pump Inhibitors
A 2006 study showed an increased risk of bone fractures in the elderly. This study eventually resulted in a 2010 warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration[4] regarding bone fracture risk. In 2009, a study conducted in Copenhagen reported that PPI use may produce a “rebound” acid effect, likening the condition to “dependency” on the medications.
In 2016, the February issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association[5] published the results of a study indicating that long-term use of PPI medications may increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The study demonstrated that the 10-year risk of kidney disease in PPI users was 20-50% higher than those who did not use PPIs.
The 2016 report was the result of an observational study which compared chronic kidney disease rates of patients who were taking PPI medications over different periods of time. The study involved the examination of medical records of 10,482 patients whose average medical follow-up was 13.9 years. The longer patients had taken PPI medications, the more likely they were to develop chronic kidney disease with an estimated increase risk of 20 to 50 percent.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease[6], also sometimes called chronic renal failure is caused by repeated damage to the kidneys resulting in an inability to filter metabolic products from the blood. Chronic kidney disease includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by doing the jobs listed. If kidney disease gets worse, wastes can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick. You may develop complications like high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health and nerve damage. Also, kidney disease increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. These problems may happen slowly over a long period of time. When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life. Symptoms include:
- Fluid retention
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Fatigue
- Itching
- Fluid in the lungs
- Heart failure
Other Side Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors have also been linked to other serious side effects including:
- Low magnesium levels resulting in neurological and muscular effects including seizure and effects on the heart.
- Interstitial nephritis
- Infection
- Heart attack
Contact an Experienced Proton Pump Injury Attorney
If you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease after using proton pump inhibitor medication, it is important to speak to a skilled proton pump injury attorney as soon as possible. Patients who were harmed by proton pump inhibitor medication can file a lawsuit in civil court against the drug manufacturer to obtain compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
In many cases, defective drug claims are consolidated into multi-district litigations or victims become part of class actions since many people suffered a similar harm as a result of drug defects. You should have an attorney explain the different options to you so you will know how best to proceed with making your case. At Michigan Injury Lawyers, our caring and experienced defective drug lawyers are here to help. Contact us today at 313-GET-HELP to get your case started.
References:
[1] http://www.medicinenet.com/proton-pump_inhibitors/article.htm
[2] http://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/esophagus_picture/picture.htm
[3] http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/digestive_disorders/
stomach_and_duodenal_ulcers_peptic_ulcers_85,p00394/
[4] http://www.fda.gov
[5] http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2481157
[6] https://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/aboutckd