The plaintiff in a new lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on Sept. 4, 2018, claims that his use of multiple brand name proton pump inhibitor drugs known as PPIs and his kidney disease development are linked.

Plaintiff Arthur P. is bringing his legal claim against the manufacturers and distributors of Dexilant, Nexium, Nexium 24 hour, Prevacid, and Prilosec. He alleges personal injury and financial loss secondary to this use of PPI and kidney disease diagnosis.

According to the PPI and kidney disease lawsuit, Arthur remembers using PPI drugs throughout 2006 and during the five-year period between 2011 and 2016.

Because of his use of PPIs and the pursuant kidney disease development, Arthur is bringing forward 10 causes of action against the defendants from the MDL. These include but are not limited to: Strict Product Liability (SPL), SPL—Design Defect, SPL—Failure to Warn, Breach of Express and Implied Warranties, Negligent and Fraudulent Misrepresentation, and Fraudulent Concealment.

Arthur is asking for a trial by jury and compensatory damages in excess of $75,000 for the suffering he has endured and will endure secondary to his use of PPI drugs and his pursuant kidney disease. He requests consideration for lost income due to having to cease work and pursue treatment as well as pay medical bills. Additionally, Arthur expects complete remuneration for all court costs and attorney fees.

PPI Drugs and Kidney Failure

According to the long-form MDL complaint, the use of PPI drugs and kidney disease or PPI drugs and kidney failure has been demonstrated through case studies dating back to the early 1990s. At that time, published medical literature was indicating a relationship between PPI drug use and acute interstitial nephritis (AIN).

AIN develops when metabolic waste products are deposited in the spaces between the tubules of the kidney. This process can bring on a sudden inflammatory response with acute symptoms or remain somewhat hidden for years.

The use of PPI drugs and kidney failure has been allegedly linked in situations where AIN remains undiagnosed and untreated for an extended period of time. This condition quietly does damage to the organs responsible for filtering extra fluid, electrolytes, and liquid waste from the body.

By the time the problem is found, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is commonly the next inevitable stage which is often followed by End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). With ESRD, a patient must find a suitable donor to provide a kidney to survive or undergo frequent dialysis treatments.

While data has long been available, awareness of the connection between PPI drugs and kidney failure has been slow to reach the public or medical professional community.

It wasn’t until December 2014 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required labeling of prescription PPIs to mention reports of AIN. Even so, many consumers felt this change was inadequate and it has yet to reach over-the-counter versions of these medications which are huge profit generators.

The PPI and Kidney Disease Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-13535 in U.S. District Court for District of New Jersey, Newark Division.