Across the country, millions of patients are complaining that popular heartburn medication Prilosec may be causing kidney problems. Along with Nexium, Prilosec is a part of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drug family, which can be used to treat heartburn, ulcers and acid reflux.

Approximately 15 million Americans have been prescribed Prilosec, making its potential association with kidney failure worrying to the medical community.

The rising association of failing kidneys with these medications stems from recent studies which showed patients who took Prilosec and Nexium faced a 96% increased risk of kidney failure.

Patients who took other drugs in the same medication class were found to have a 28% overall increased risk of kidney problems. The study was published on April 14, 2016, in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, where subjects taking Prilosec started experiencing failing kidneys soon after.

The subjects were compared to patients taking H2 receptor blocker. This was not the first study to indicate Prilosec can cause kidney failure. The study was conducted with patient information from Department of Veteran Affairs to determine the safety of these medications.

Over 170,000 new PPI patients were identified and were compared to over 20,000 new H2 receptor blocker patients. This inquiry lasted five years, with the results adjusted to different control factors such as age and other health conditions.

Even though less than 0.2% of the subjects had suffered the last stages of failing kidneys, the PPIs still showed a 96% higher risk. A little before this study, a February 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicating an association between PPIs and kidney problems.

Overview of Prilosec Kidney Failure

Conducted by John Hopkins University, this study was conducted to investigate the link between PPIs and acute interstitial nephritis.

This condition often leads to kidney failure, which means both studies indicate Prilosec and other PPIs may lead to serious kidney problems. Overall the researchers recommended patients use these drugs cautiously and should seek alternative treatment if the patients may be prone to kidney failure.

Early stages of kidney failure can typically be treated with dialysis, but more severe cases often require an organ transplant. Patients taking Prilosec should consult their physicians if they experience any odd symptoms. Medical experts warn PPI patients to be vigilant for any signs of kidney failure including:

• Decreased urination
• Fluid retention
• Fatigue
• Seizures
• Chest pain

Despite the severity of this condition, Prilosec and Nexium do not mention kidney failure on their warning labels. Patients already affected by Prilosec kidney failure may be eligible for legal action, and should contact a specialized lawyer.