Prilosec Kidney Injury and Stomach Cancer Lawsuits
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously pursued claims for individuals who developed acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal failure and other side effects after taking Prilosec, a popular acid reflux and heart burn drug used by millions of Americans.
Financial compensation was made available for individuals who took Prilosec or other PPI medications that developed kidney injuries. AstraZeneca agreed to a $425 million Nexium and Prilosec settlement in October 2023.
New cases are no longer being investigated. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.
Prilosec Side Effects
Prilosec (omeprazole) was introduced by AstraZeneca in 1989, as the first prescription proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It was originally marketed under the name “Losec”, which was later changed to avoid confusion with another drug. Prilosec is currently a Proctor and Gamble heartburn drug, which is available over-the-counter (OTC) and as a generic.
Although it has been used by millions of people and is widely thought to be safe, several studies have suggested that there are serious injury risks with Prilosec and other proton pump inhibitors, such as Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix and other popular drugs.
According to allegations that will be raised in Prilosec lawsuits being pursued by individuals throughout the U.S., the drug makers knew or should have known about the link between Prilosec and kidney injury, yet placed their desire for profits before consumer safety by withholding information and warnings. In addition, evidence suggests that signs of the potential Prilosec stomach cancer side effects were ignored for years.
▸ Prilosec Stomach Cancer Lawsuits
In late 2017, independent studies highlighted the potential link between Prilosec and stomach cancer, raising questions about why AstraZeneca failed to research or study the problems earlier. Had proper warnings been provided to users and the medical community, many former users may have avoided a devastating cancer diagnosis.
According to a Hong Kong study published in the medical journal Gut, which involved data on more than 63,000 adults over a period of about 8 years, the rate of gastric cancer on Prilosec and other PPI drugs was substantially higher, without similar problems associated with the use of drugs from a different class of heartburn medications, known as histamin-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs).
In October 2017, another study published in The BMJ found that side effects of Prilosec and other PPI drugs were associated with a three-fold increased risk of stomach cancer.
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are evaluating potential Prilosec stomach cancer lawsuits and provide free consultations and claim evaluations to help individuals and families determine whether they may be entitled to financial compensation.
▸ Prilosec Interstitial Nephritis Warnings
Acute interstitial nephritis is a known risk of Prilosec and other proton pump inhibitors, which involves a sudden inflammation of the kidneys. If the drug is not discontinued, it can lead to more severe and chronic kidney damage.
It was not until December 2014 that the FDA required Prilosec warnings about this kidney risk, with information added to the “Warnings and Precautions” section of the prescibing information.
Although doctors were informed to discontinue Prilosec if acute interstitial nephritis develops, steps were not taken to make sure consumers were aware of the potential symptoms of kidney problems from Prilosec and the importance of seeking immediate medical treatment. This likely caused many uses to develop more severe kidney injury, chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal failure from Prilosec.
▸ Prilosec Acute Kidney Injury Problems
Acute kidney injury involves the sudden loss of kidney function, which has been identified as a potential health risk with Prilosec.
According to a study published by the medical journal CMAJ Open in April 2015, older individuals taking Prilosec or another PPI may be 2.5 times more likely to develop acute kidney injury. In addition, researchers found a 3 fold increased risk of acute interstitial nephritis when compared to individuals who did not use the drugs.
Warnings and information should have been provided about the symptoms of Prilosec kidney injury, and the importance of seeking immmediate medical treatment if users experience:
- Fatigue, Loss of Appetite, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting
- Irregular Heart Beat or Shortness of Breath
- Pain in the Sides or Changes in Fluid Balance
With prompt treatment, individuals with acute kidney injury are often able to restore normal kidney function after Prilosec is no longer used. However, in about 10% of cases, acute kidney failure is known to lead to permanent problems, causing kidney failure and the need for life-long dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant procedure.
▸ Prilosec Kidney Disease Risks
Chronic kidney disease is a more gradual and longer lasting problem that may be caused by Prilosec long-term use. This involves a buildup of wastes in the blood, which may also lead to kidney failure.
In January 2016, a study published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that users of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) like Prilosec may be 50% more likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Individuals likely suffer chronic kidney disease from Prilosec due to recurrent kidney injury or interstitial nephritis, which may have been avoided if stronger warnings had been provided.
Rather than warning about the potential Prilosec kidney problems, the drug makers placed their desire for profits before consumer safety by continuing to aggressively market this drug and pushing for wider use.
Prilosec Class Action Lawyers
Individuals throughout the United States previously pursued compensation through a Prilosec class action lawsuit or individual claim if they were diagnosed with stomach cancer or kidney problems, including an acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, renal failure or acute interstitial nephritis.
Similar allegations were previously pursued in Nexium lawsuits, Prevacid lawsuits, Protonix lawsuits and Dexilant lawsuits against the makers of these related heartburn drugs.
