As Proton Pump Inhibitor Lawsuits Mount, New Study Suggests Long-Term Use of Heartburn Drugs May Lead to Dangerous Stomach Infections, Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reports

NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As proton pump inhibitor lawsuits involving serious kidney injuries continue to mount in courts throughout the U.S, a new study suggests that long-term use of these and other heartburn medications could place patients at risk for additional complications. The study, which was published this month in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, involved nearly 565,000 adults, including 188,000 who had been given at least one prescription for a proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker. From 1999 to 2013, those taking a heartburn medication were about four times more likely to develop a Campylobacter infection compared to those who were not. Use of proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers were also linked to a 70% increased risk of C. difficile infections.

In 2011, roughly half a million Americans were infected with C. diff or Campylobacter, while 29,000 died from these dangerous gastrointestinal illnesses. The authors of this study surmised that the acid suppressing effects of proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers could make the stomach more vulnerable to infections with these pathogens.

"Our Firm is representing individuals who allegedly developed kidney disease and other renal complications due to long-term proton pump inhibitor use. This study is yet another reminder that these extremely popular medications may be associated with some very serious risks, especially if they are used for an extended period of time," says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing victims of defective drugs and medical devices. The Firm continues to evaluate potential proton pump inhibitor lawsuits on behalf of patients who allegedly suffered kidney complications due to their use of Nexium and similar heartburn drugs.

Proton Pump Inhibitors and the Kidneys

Proton pump inhibitors are indicated for the short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid. Prescription medications in this class include:

• Nexium  (esomeprazole)
• Prilosec (omeprazole)
• Prevacid (lansoprazole)
• Dexilent, Kapidex (dexlansoprazole)
• Aciphex (rabeprazole)
• Protonix (pantoprazole)
• Vimovo (naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium)
• Zegerid (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate)

Several proton pump inhibitors are also available in over-the-counter versions.

In 2013, more than 15 million Americans used prescription proton pump inhibitors. However, it has been estimated that between 25% and 70% of these prescriptions have no appropriate indication. A growing body of research has also linked the long-term use of these drugs to serious kidney complications. For example, a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology this past April suggested extended use of proton pump inhibitors could increase the risk of renal failure by 96% compared to H2 Blockers, while the chances of chronic kidney disease rose 28%. Last January, research that appeared in JAMA Internal Medicine also found that the proton pump inhibitors might increase the risk of chronic kidney disease by as much as 50%.

Numerous proton pump inhibitor lawsuits have been filed in U.S. courts on behalf of individuals who allegedly developed serious kidney complications related to the use of Nexium and other drugs in this class. On January 26^th, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation will hear Oral Arguments on a Motion that seeks to transfer all such federally-filed claims to a single U.S. District Court for the purposes of coordinated pretrial proceedings. (In re: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation – MDL No. 2757)

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is now offering free legal reviews to individuals who developed renal failure or other kidney complications that may be related to their use of Nexium or another proton pump inhibitor. To learn more about filing a proton pump inhibitor lawsuit, please visit Bernstein Liebhard LLP's website, or call 800-511-5092 to arrange for a free, no obligation case review.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993. As a national law firm, Bernstein Liebhard LLP possesses all of the legal and financial resources required to successfully challenge billion dollar pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As a result, our attorneys and legal staff have been able to recover more than $3.5 billion on behalf of our clients. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is honored to once again be named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List," recognizing the top plaintiffs firms in the country. This year's nomination marks the thirteenth year the firm has been named to this prestigious annual list.

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Sandy A. Liebhard, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
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www.rxinjuryhelp.com
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