Prilosec is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces stomach acid by stopping the cells in the lining of the stomach from producing too much acid. Prilosec is available in over the counter and prescription formulations to treat heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and gastric ulcers. Other PPIs include Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, and Zegerid.

However, Prilosec chronic kidney disease is the main issue in a complaint filed against the drug’s maker Procter & Gamble and against Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, maker of Protonix.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the gradual loss of kidney function. Advanced stages of chronic kidney disease can lead to dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and waste building up in the body. Symptoms might go unnoticed until chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced stage.

Plaintiff Gwendolyn W. says she took Protonix from 2006 to 2008. She then began taking over the counter Prilosec in 2008 and stopped taking it in April 2016. Her complaint alleges that she was diagnosed with stage three chronic kidney disease on April 28, 2016 “as a result of using Defendants’ PPIs.”

PPIs cause the kidneys’ tubules to become inflamed, a condition known as interstitial nephritis. This leads to acute kidney injuries that can deteriorate to chronic kidney disease. The need for dialysis and a possible kidney transplant can be the result of escalated chronic kidney disease that becomes end stage renal disease.

Prilosec Chronic Kidney Disease Allegedly Hidden in Marketing

According to the PPI lawsuit, the “marketing campaigns willfully and intentionally misrepresented the risks of their respective PPIs and failed to warn about the risks of AIN (Acute Interstitial Nephritis), AKI (Acute Kidney Injury), CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease), and ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease).

Over the years, several studies have linked the long-term use of PPIs with kidney damage. The complaint says, “Despite Defendants’ knowledge of the increased risk of severe injury among PPI users, Defendants did not warn patients, but instead continued to defend their respective PPIs, mislead physicians and the public, and minimize unfavorable findings.”

The Prilosec chronic kidney disease lawsuit says the drug companies allegedly “concealed and continue to conceal their knowledge of PPIs’ unreasonably dangerous risks from Plaintiff, her physicians, other consumers and the medical community.”

The companies stand accused of failing to inform doctors and the public of the “magnified risk of kidney injuries related to the use of their respective PPIs.”

A 2012 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey indicated approximately 7.8 percent of American adults use prescription PPIs every month.

In October 1992, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center researchers led by Stephen Ruffenbach published an article in The American Journal of Medicine that indicated a link between PPIs and kidney injuries. It was the first article to note the association between PPI use and kidney damage and was followed by years of studies and collections of adverse drug reports that supported the finding.

The Prilosec chronic kidney disease lawsuit says, “In spite of their commercial success and global popularity, up to 70% of PPIs may be used inappropriately for indications or durations that were never tested or approved.”

The Prilosec Chronic Kidney Disease Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-03972-SM-KWR in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

If you or a loved one suffered kidney injury, kidney disease or a heart attack after taking Nexium, Prilosec, or another PPI heartburn treatment, you may be able to take legal action and pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.