Prilosec OTC is a proton pump inhibitor popularly used for treating peptic ulcers and acid reflux.  However, a new medical study suggest that Prilosec OTC side effects may be associated with higher rates of chronic kidney problems.

Prilosec OTC Side Effects

Not everyone taking Prilosec OTC will experience adverse symptoms or Prilosec OTC side effects, but for some people the following mild to severe symptoms may occur:

• Back pain
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Upper respiratory infections

Serious Prilosec OTC side effects include:

• Pancreas inflammation or symptoms of pancreatitis (fever, chills, abdominal pain, rapid heart rate, and nausea)
• Behavioral problems like agitation or aggression
• Agitation, confusion, or hallucinations
• Weakening of the bones that can result in broken bones
• Liver damage presenting as yellow skin or yellowing of the whites of the eyes, dark-colored urine, and stomach pain
• Allergic reactions like hives, rash, swelling primarily of the face, tongue, or throat and itching

Other rare but possible Prilosec OTC side effects include:

• Dry mouth
• Insomnia
• Decrease in appetite
• Weight gain
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Vertigo
• Drowsiness
• Tinnitus
• Blurry vision
• Anemia
• UTI (urinary tract infection)
• Muscle cramps
• Changes in taste

Prilosec OTC and Kidney Damage

One of the more serious and life-threatening side effects of Prilosec OTC may be permanent or chronic kidney damage.

A recent CBS News report showcases a new study suggesting that long term use of certain proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) that include Prilosec OTC, Nexium, and Prevacid may lead to serious kidney problems.

Published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, the study supports earlier findings that this group of drugs may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease can lead to permanent kidney damage and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. More than 13 percent of people in the United States suffer from kidney problems, which also can lead to cardiovascular problems and greater than normal risk of death.

Medical records from over 173,000 VA patients who were prescribed a PPI and over 20,000 other patients prescribed another class of heartburn drug called H2-blockers were examined. Those include brands like Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet, which are also available over-the-counter.

Over five years, 15 percent of PPI users were diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, versus 11 percent of those on H2-blockers. After the researchers weighed other factors, PPI users still had a 28 percent greater risk.

Few study patients — less than 0.2 percent — developed end-stage kidney failure. But the odds were almost doubled among PPI users, the study found.

Study Supports Prior PPI Research

Researchers indicate the risk is increased the longer people used the medications: Patients on PPIs for one to two years had a threefold higher risk of kidney failure than those who used the drugs for a month or less.

Still, the researchers could only speculate on how PPIs could contribute to kidney disease. But past research has linked the drugs to cases of acute kidney inflammation. It’s possible, researchers noted, that some PPI users develop cases that go undiagnosed and eventually lead to chronic kidney problems.

Dr. Kenneth R. DeVault, president of the American College of Gastroenterology and chair of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, stresses that while the risk of kidney problems or kidney damage due to prolonged PPI use appears to be substantiated, it is relatively low.

“Keep in mind that the study population was a veteran’s hospital, a relatively older population that had lots of other diseases,” he told CBS News. “One would have to assume if you were the average healthy person taking a proton pump inhibitor for heartburn the odds would be even lower than the low odds in this study.”

Based on the study data, however, DeVault cautions that people who do not need to take a PPI like Prilosec OTC should not.

Prilosec OTC Lawsuits

If you were diagnosed with kidney problems or kidney damage as the result Prilosec OTC side effects, an experienced drug injury attorney can work with you to explore your legal options and give you a thorough evaluation of your case at no cost.