Popular heartburn medication, Prilosec, may be connected with some serious side effects.

Recent studies have shown that Prilosec side effects include an increased risk for kidney disease.

Prilosec is part of a group of heartburn medications known as proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs.

Prilosec is prescribed for heartburn and acid reflux and works by making sure the stomach does not produce too much acid.

Prilosec is sold both over-the-counter and by prescription.

In January 2016, JAMA released a study that connected proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec and chronic kidney disease.

The study found that users of proton pump inhibitors have a 20 to 50 percent higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease than those who did not use drugs like Prilosec.

They did not find a direct cause and effect relationship between Prilosec and Prilosec side effects like kidney disease.

However, Dr. Morgan Grams, the leader of the study said, “We found there was an increasing risk associated with an increasing dose. That suggests that perhaps this observed effect is real.”

In 2013 alone, proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec were used by more than 15 million Americans. It has also been reported that as many as 70% of those using proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec have been using them inappropriately.

There has been, however, a link between shorter term kidney problems such as acute kidney injury and acute interstitial nephritis.

The problem with Prilosec side effects like chronic kidney disease is that it can lead to kidney failure.

When kidneys fail, they lose their ability to filter blood. A patient who has undergone kidney failure requires dialysis and possibly a kidney transplant.

Dosage and frequency of use may seem to have something to do with risk of chronic kidney disease. Twice daily use of PPIs like Prilosec was associated with a 46% increased risk of kidney disease. Only a 15% increased risk was associated with those taking a once-a-day-dose.

Prilosec side effects such as chronic kidney disease and possible kidney failure might be due to decreasing magnesium levels in the body. A lack of this mineral can damage the kidneys.

Dr. Arun Swaminath, director of the inflammatory bowel disease program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, reports that physicians are already wary of PPIs because of connections with other health problems like bone fractures and pneumonia.

Because of this and other possible Prilosec complications, Dr. Swaminath says, “We have started to limit the time you have to be on it, and limit the amount you take.”

Other, less serious Prilosec side effects may include:

• fever
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat
• stomach pain, gas
• nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea
• headache
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• dizziness, confusion
• fast or uneven heart rate
• jerking muscle movements
• jittery feeling
• muscle cramps
• muscle weakness or limp feeling
• cough or choking feeling
• seizure

If you or someone you know experienced serious Prilosec side effects like kidney disease or kidney failure after taking Prilosec, you may qualify to file a Prilosec lawsuit. An experienced Prilosec attorney is waiting to help.