New studies are showing a link between popular drugs heartburn drugs and an increased risk for developing kidney disease.

Prilosec and Nexium, both in their prescription formulation as well as the over-the-counter formulation, were included in the studies.

Prilosec and Nexium belong to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs for short. These drugs work by blocking the function of an enzyme located in the stomach wall that is responsible for producing acid.

In the past, several other side effects of the drugs had been noted, such as an increased risk of developing bone fractures, increased risk of infections, and an increased risk of heart-related problems.

Earlier this year, a study published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine looked at the risk of kidney disease among patients using PPI medication.

The study, led by an epidemiologist from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health, looked at data for 10,482 patients who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. The study analyzed the data, and the results were replicated in a large administrative cohort of 248,751 patients.

In both study groups, the occurrence of kidney disease was greater for patients taking proton pump inhibitor medications like Nexium and Prilosec as compared to those not taking the drug. Patients taking other acid-blocking drugs in the form of histamine H2 antagonists did not have the same increased risk of kidney disease while taking the drugs.

NPR interviewed the lead author of the study as well as other experts to gain more insight on the study results.

Morgan Grams, lead researcher, said that the data was unable to show who has the greatest risk of the developing chronic kidney disease, and the study did not factor in how long patients were actually taking the PPI drugs. While there is an association, Grams cautions that a causal relationship cannot yet be established.

Nevertheless, Grams felt the study outcome was enough to cause concern and warrant patient awareness. “Given the fact that so many people use PPI medications, I think it is judicious to exercise some caution,” Grams stated.

NPR also sought the opinion of internal medicine resident Adam Schoenfeld at the University of California, San Francisco. He noted that other studies have found that many prescriptions for PPI medications like Prilosec and Nexium are inappropriate and other interventions can be used to decrease heartburn and acid reflux.

“When they first came out they weren’t associated with side effects, or we didn’t think they were. So we put [people] on this medication thinking: ‘It’s a quick fix and they’re very safe.’ But in actuality they’re associated with a range of side effects,” Schoenfeld said.

Patients can try other methods with less likelihood of side effects, Schonfeld said. “There’s other ways that people can feel better with indigestion or heartburn. They can change their diet,” Schoenfeld stated. Also, patients can stop smoking and reduce their consumption of alcoholic beverages to further reduce acid and its negative effects, he added.

Filing a Prilosec or Nexium Side Effects Lawsuit

Patients who have developed kidney disease and who have taken PPI medications like Prilosec and Nexium may be eligible to file a legal claim against the manufacturers for failing to warn patients of these alleged side effects. An attorney can provide you with a free case review and can discuss your legal options with you.