Dexilant Kidney Injury and Stomach Cancer Lawsuits
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously reviewed potential Dexilant lawsuits for individuals nationwide who experienced any of the following injuries;
- Stomach Cancer or Gastic Cancer
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Acute Interstitial Nephritis
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Kidney Failure
Dexilant Side Effects
Dexilant is manufactured and sold by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It was originally introduced under the brand name Kapidex, but the name was changed about a year later due to confusion with other drugs, such as Casodex and Kadian.
Proton pump inhibitors like Dexilant are commonly used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as heartburn, stomach ulcers and inflammation of the esophagus. Nexium, Prilosec and other PPIs have generated billions in sales each year, and Dexilant is one of the last members of this class that does not face generic competition.
When Dexilant was introduced, the drug was almost immediately under fire by consumer groups like Public Citizen, which listed it on its “worst pills” list, indicating that it had no advantages over other PPIs already on the market. The group pointed out that the sole purpose of introducing the medication was to allow Takeda Pharmaceuticals to charge three times the cost of generic PPIs already on the market.
Although it appears that the drug maker knew or should have known about the Dexilant kidney problems and potential risk of stomach cancer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals placed its desire for profits before consumer safety by aggressively marketing the drug while withholding warnings from consumers and the medical community.
▸ Dexilant Stomach Cancer Cases
Gastric cancer or stomach cancer can develop in the lining of the stomach following long-term use of Dexilant or another proton pump inhibitor. In December 2017, a study published by Hong Kong researchers found that the medications may more than double the risk, while other types of heartburn drugs were not linked to the same side effects.
Following publication of a second study in The British Medical Journal, a number of experts have raised questions about why the Dexilant cancer risks were not studies before this newer PPI was ever introduced. Researchers indicated that users of any PPI drug may face up to a three times higher risk of stomach cancer following long-term use, yet warnings were not provided to users or the medical community.
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are evaluating the potential for Dexilant stomach cancer lawsuits, and provide free consultations and claim evaluations to help individuals and families determine whether they may be entitled to financial compensation.
▸ Dexilant Interstitial Nephritis Warnings
Reports of acute interstitial nephritis among users of Dexilant and other proton pump inhibitors were the first signs of problems with Dexilant and other PPI drugs.
In December 2014, the FDA required new warning information about a form of Dexilant kidney problems, known as acute interstitial nephritis, which involves a sudden inflammation of the kidneys that can lead to more severe problems.
The new warning information states:
Acute interstitial nephritis has been observed in patients taking PPIs including [Dexilant]. Acute interstitial nephritis may occur at any point during PPI therapy and is generally attributed to idiopathic hypersensitivy reaction. Discontinue Dexilant if acute interstial nephritis develops
According to allegations that will be raised in Dexilant injury lawsuits, these warnings should have been provided much earlier and also do not go far enough, as there is no mention of the word “kidney” in either the prescribing information or medication guide provided by the drug maker.
Consumers and the medical community should be informed that side effects of Dexilant may increase the risk of serious and life-threatening kidney problems, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, kidney failure and other problems.
▸ Dexilant Acute Kidney Injury Risk
In a study published by the medical journal CMAJ Open in April 2015, researchers found that use of proton pump inhibitors like Dexilant may cause some users to face a 2.5 fold increased risk of acute kidney injury (AIN), as well as a three times higher risk of acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) when compared to individuals who do not use a heartburn drug.
Researchers highlighted the importance of doctors understanding the risk of acute interstitial nephritis and kidney injury with drugs like Dexilant, indicating that patients should be monitored and indiscriminate use of the drugs should be discouraged. However, no additional Dexilant kidney warnings have been provided by Takeda Pharmaceuticals for users or the medical community.
In severe cases, a Dexilant acute kidney injury may become chronic, leading to kidney disease, end-stage renal failure, the need for life-long dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.
▸ Dexilant Kidney Disease
In January 2016, another study published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine highlighted the link between Dexilant and kidney problems, finding that proton pump inhibitors (PPI) may increase the chances of individuals developing chronic kidney disease (CDK) by 50%.
Researchers called for further research on the link into the chronic kidney disease risk with Dexilant and other PPIs. Lawsuits over Dexilant allege that information provided by the drug maker should more clearly indicated that Dexilant can cause sudden loss of kidney function, potentially resulting in symptoms like:
- Weakness or Fatigue
- Shortness of Breath
- Abnormal Heart Rhythms
- Pain the Flanks
Recurrent kidney injury or more severe instances may be the underlying cause of chronic kidney disease from Dexilant, and many individuals may have avoided this serious complication by discontinuing the drug or pursuing a different treatment alternative.
It appears that Takeda placed their desire for profits ahead of consumer safety by failing to provide adequate information and warnings about these potential Dexilant kidney risks.
Dexilant Class Action Lawyers
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously reviewed potential Dexilant class action lawsuits and individual claims for those who suffered a kidney injury. Similar claims were also pursued through Nexium lawsuits, Prilosec lawsuits and other acid reflux drug lawsuits.
