Heartburn Drug Injury
A recent study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), indicates that long-term use of very popular drugs used to treat heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers may dramatically increase the patient’s risk for PPI kidney damage and kidney disease.
Doctors regularly prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to help people who suffer from regular heartburn, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux. The medications are especially popular because they relieve symptoms rather quickly.
However, these new findings suggest the long-term use of PPIs should be avoided because it may damage the kidneys. Studies show long-term use may not only increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, but may also increase the risk of its progression to total kidney failure.
In fact, patients who took PPI’s for an extended time had a 96% increased rate of total kidney failure compared to patients who took an H2 histamine receptor blocker.
If you have taken Zantac and developed cancer, please consider taking legal action, not only to receive rightful compensation, but to hold drug companies accountable for the harm they continue to cause. Only through litigation can consumer safety be ensured, as corporate entities may only see profit rather than consumer health interests.
PPI Kidney Damage Risk
In 2013, an estimated 15 million Americans used PPIs such as Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid and others. This number is likely an underestimate because the medications are also available over-the-counter.
Consumers see these medications at their local drug stores and assume they are safe, however kidney specialists now say there is evidence that shows they’re not as safe as previously thought. In fact, some researcher say the odds among PPI users to develop kidney problems are almost doubled.
Those most at risk are long-term users of these particular drugs. The studies showed a graded association between duration of PPI use and risk of kidney problems, which means those who took PPIs for a longer period of time are the most likely to develop kidney issues. Patients on PPIs for one to two years had a 300 percent higher risk of kidney failure than those who used the drugs for a month or less.
Zantac Brands
Patients diagnosed with Bladder, Colorectal, Esophageal, Intestinal, Kidney, Liver, Ovarian, Pancreatic, Stomach, Testicular, or Uterine cancer after taking Zantac or ranitidine should contact The Lyon Firm.
- Zantac 150 Tablets
- Zantac 150 Maximum Strength
- Zantac 150 Maximum Strength Cool Mint
- Zantac 75 Tablets
Pharmaceutical Negligence
When patients and consumers are injured by defective drugs brought to market by negligent pharmaceutical companies, those responsible may be held liable for damages. Drug companies have a lawful and ethical duty to protect American consumers.
If the drug you have been prescribed caused an injury or has been recalled, contact a healthcare professional and a defective drug lawyer to help you weigh your medical and legal options.
Following major mass tort events and high-profile lawsuits, the Institute of Medicine, National Institute of Health, and Veterans Administration proposed several new steps to balance the safety monitoring following the release of new drugs.
A few of the recommendations include funding and staffing increases, improved adverse event reporting system, and greater authority for the FDA on post-marketing safety measures.
In response to increasing public concern over a lack of post-approval authority, the Institute of Medicine, National Institute of Health, and Veterans Administration have proposed several new steps to balance the safety monitoring following the release of drug.
Currently, the FDA has little funding or ability to adequately monitor adverse events, off-label uses, compliance with post market studies. When a drug is approved, there is significant uncertainty about the long term safety. Manufacturers are only required to submit data on safety and efficacy from small controlled studies.
The pre-approval studies do not provide a clear picture on how the drug is truly interacting in the market place. A few of the recommendations include funding and staffing increases, improved adverse event reporting system, greater authority for the FDA on post-marketing safety measures.
Should I File a Zantac Lawsuit?
By taking the initiative and filing a Zantac injury lawsuit, plaintiffs can receive proper compensation and hold a drug company accountable for their negligent actions. Consumer drug safety depends largely on making sure companies operate within the law and within ethical boundaries.