Recent studies have suggested popular heartburn medications Nexium and Prilosec may be linked to severe kidney problems in patients.

These drugs are known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and are common over the counter medications meant to help treat heartburn.

These drugs work by lowering the amount of stomach acid produced, but experts are now worried this may potentially cause kidney problems.

These concerns come from two recent studies which link the PPIs to kidney failure but do not actually prove there is an actual cause and effect relationship.

Even though there were no conclusive findings found from the studies, one of the lead authors believes that it is reasonable to assume the risk of serious kidney problems.

Overview of Nexium and Prilosec Kidney Problems

One study was led by Dr. Pradeep Arora a nephrologist and associate professor at SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Science. According to Dr. Arora’s study, one out of four patients the PPIs had allegedly developed kidney problems who had previously taken a PPI medication.

The study observed over 24,000 patients who developed kidney disease between 2001 and 2008.

From these results, Dr. Arora cautions patients to only use the PPIs for the FDA approved purposes. While PPIs have been linked repeatedly to short term kidney problems, the new concerns of kidney disease is concerning due to the condition’s severity.

“According to U.S. data, 90 percent of the prescriptions for PPI are not related to FDA-approved indications. We are using this medication right and left, and it may be counterproductive for many patients,” Dr. Arora stated.

The second study was a collaborative effort left by Dr. Benjamin Lazarus of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in Australia and John Hopkins University in Baltimore. Dr. Lazarus and his research team had observed over 10,000 adult patients with regular kidney function from 1996 to 2011, with one group exposed to the PPIs.

The scientists found that the PPI users had up to a 50% increased risk of developing kidney problems, compared to patients who did not take PPIs. The researchers noted that the patients who had taken a different class of stomach acid medication, H2 blockers, did not suffer the same risks.

Dr. Arora theorized that PPIs may induce chronic kidney damage due to episodes of interstitial nephritis, a form of tissue inflammation. Dr. Arora also pointed out that PPIs can potentially raise the magnesium levels in the blood, which may contribute to kidney problems.

There are a number of factors that could contribute to kidney failure including diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. According to the American Society of Nephrology, over 20 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease with PPIs possibly contributing to the problem.

The findings from these studies were presented at the most recent meeting of the American Society of Nephrology, and will most likely be published soon. Overall, the medical experts involved in this study highly advise patients taking Prilosec, Nexium, or other PPIs to only use them for intended purposes.

Patients who suffered kidney problems from Prilosec, Nexium, or other PPIs may be eligible for legal action, and should contact a specialized lawyer.