Proton Pump Inhibitor Lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP Note New Study Linking Heartburn Medications to Increased Risk for Kidney Stones

NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study suggests that individuals using certain heartburn medications, including proton pump inhibitors like Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid, may be more likely to develop kidney stones. The authors of the study, which was presented this month the American Society of Nephrology's annual Kidney Week event in Chicago, Illinois, analyzed data on more than 187,330 individuals without a prior history of kidney stones. During a follow-up of up to 12 years for proton pump inhibitors and 26 years for H2 blockers, 3,245 subjects experienced symptomatic kidney stones. After adjusting for certain risk factors, the research team concluded that proton pump inhibitors were associated with a 12% higher risk of developing a kidney stone, while H2 blockers were associated with a 13% higher risk.

Analysis of a subgroup of patients also linked proton pump inhibitor use to lower urinary excretion of calcium, oxalate, citrate, and magnesium, all of which are components of kidney stones.

"This is only the latest research to link drugs like Nexium to serious kidney complications. Other recent studies have suggested that the long-term use of proton pump inhibitors may be associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease, kidney failure and acute kidney injury," says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing victims of defective drugs and medical devices. The Firm is actively filing 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 Inhibitor Side Effects
Proton pump inhibitors are approved 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)

A number of these drugs are also available in over-the-counter versions.

Concerns about the kidney side effects associated with proton pump inhibitors have been building for some time. In 2014, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) required the manufacturers of prescription versions to add new information to their product labels regarding a possible association with acute interstitial nephritis. This serious renal complication is characterized by swelling in between the kidney tubules, and is often the result of an allergic reaction to a medication. Untreated, the condition can progress to kidney disease and kidney failure.

In April 2015, a study published in CMAJ Open linked proton pump inhibitors to a 3-fold increase in the risk for acute interstitial nephritis, as well as a 2.5 times higher risk of acute kidney injury.

This year, two additional studies suggested that extended use of proton pump inhibitors could be associated with an increased risk for chronic kidney disease and renal failure. The first appeared in the January issue of JAMA Internal Medicine , and indicated that proton pump inhibitors might increase the likelihood of chronic kidney disease by as much as 50%. And in April, a paper appearing in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology linked the drugs to a 96% increase in the risk for kidney failure, as well as a 28% heightened risk of chronic kidney disease compared to H2 blockers.

Long-term users of Nexium or another proton pump inhibitor may be entitled to compensation if they were diagnosed with serious kidney complications, including acute interstitial nephritis, chronic kidney disease or renal failure. 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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Contact Information:
Sandy A. Liebhard, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info (at)consumerinjurylawyers(dot)com
http://www.rxinjuryhelp.com/
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