A new study performed by medical researchers at Stanford University suggests that certain heartburn medications, like Prilosec and Nexium, are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks.

The heartburn medications at issue are known as proton pump inhibitors. Proton Pump inhibitor drugs include Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Dexilant, Protonix, and Aciphex.

Proton pump inhibitors work by blocking the secretion of acid in the stomach. This helps to reduce and at times eliminate gastroesophogeal reflux disease, more commonly known as heartburn.

The Stanford study looked at the medical records of 2.9 million patients across the U.S., using two separate patient databases. Overall the study looked through approximately 16 million electronic medical records. After reviewing the patients’ medical records, the medical researchers found that patients taking proton pump inhibitors to treat heart burn were 16 to 21 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack that those not taking the medication.

Due to the design of the study, the Stanford researchers were unable to show cause and effect, but Nicholas Leeper, an assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine and vascular surgery at Stanford and one of the authors of the study, suggest the results show a sufficient enough risk that patients should discuss the potential risks with their doctors.

Research suggests that proton inhibitors reduce the production of nitric oxide in the cells that line the heart and circulatory system. Low levels of nitric oxide have a long association with cardiovascular issues. Leeper believes that the Food and Drug Administration should be advised of the study’s findings but also acknowledges that only a large prospective clinical study can actually established whether proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec are causing patients to suffer more heart attacks.

Heartburn medications like Prilosec and Nexium are extremely popular and used worldwide. The study suggests that nearly 113 million prescriptions are written for these medications worldwide and many of these medications are available without prescription. In 2014, the top 10 prescription versions of these drugs brought in over $9.2 billion in sales within the U.S. alone.

There are several other types of heartburn medication are available to consumers. Instead of blocking the secretion of acid, some heartburn medications work by blocking histamine production in the cells that line the stomach. Histamine blocking heartburn medications include Zantac and Pepcid. The Stanford Medical study found no correlation between these medications and an increased risk of heart attack.

Overview of Prilosec Lawsuits

Product liability attorneys are looking for potential plaintiffs to bring Prilosec or proton pump inhibitor lawsuits. These Prilosec lawsuits will likely allege that the pharmaceutical companies violated consumer protection laws by failing to warn about dangerous side effects associated with taking the medication.

Lawsuits like these, against major pharmaceutical companies, help hold drug manufacturers and marketers accountable for their products, and reminds the companies that they owe their consumers a duty of care. Awards and settlements from the Prilosec lawsuits will help victims pay both past and future medical bills as well as compensate victims for the pain and suffering they have endured due to the medication.