The heartburn drugs known as PPIs, including omeprazole, are widely used across the world, but these medications may cause kidney damage, Nexium stomach cancer or other serious side effects.

What is Omeprazole?

Omeprazole is the generic name for the medication with the brand name Prilosec. Omeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. Other popular PPIs are Nexium (esomeprazole) and Prevacid (lansoprazole).

Proton pump inhibitors, available by prescription and over-the-counter, are used to reduce the production of stomach acid. PPI medications are some of the most common medications in use in the United States. In 2009, around 21 million Americans used prescription PPIs. Now, a little more than ten years later, approximately 10% of U.S. adults take PPI medications.

Each of the PPI medications on the market is used to treat a variety of stomach and esophagus problems like acid reflux and ulcers, which can present symptoms such as heartburn, persistent coughing, and difficulty swallowing.

What are Common PPI Side Effects?

As with any medication, omeprazole and other PPI drugs are associated with certain side effects.

Mild side effects include headaches or abdominal pain. More serious risks include low magnesium blood levels or signs of lupus. Rare side effects include a severe intestinal condition, a severe allergic reaction, or, after long-term use of the drug, a B-12 deficiency.

Can PPIs Cause Kidney Damage?

Because of how widely used PPI drugs are, researchers have recently gone back through data collected by the FDA Adverse Effect Reporting System (FAERS) to look for unexpected side effects of PPI use. According to Nature.com, a team of researchers from Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of California San Diego found that PPI users were more likely to be diagnosed with kidney disease than those who took histamine-2 receptor antagonists (another antacid option). Long-term usage also increases risks.

Their study, published in February 2019 by Scientific Reports, found that for PPI users the frequency of kidney-related side effects was 5.6%. This is compared to a mere 0.7% for those who took histamine-2 receptor antagonists. Indeed, chronic kidney disease was reported 28.4 times more often for PPI users than in the control group.

What Else is Omeprazole Used For?

In 2020, omeprazole has also been used in trials regarding a coronavirus cure or protectant. A study in the UK intends to test the drug on 3,000 patients, and will end in March 2021. However, other studies have linked use of omeprazole with a potentially increased risk of developing COVID-19.

According to an online study of more than 50,000 Americans with conditions such as GERD, acid reflux, or heartburn, patients who took PPIs to treat these conditions may be unknowingly increasing their coronavirus risk profile. More than 6% of the people involved in the study reported testing positive for the virus. People who reported taking a PPI once a day were found to be at double the risk for developing the condition. People who reported taking a PPI including omeprazole twice a day increased their risk of developing COVID-19 by nearly 300%.

The increased risk may be tied to omeprazole’s ability to lower the amount of acid in the stomach. Although an overabundance of acid may result in stomach ulcers and other uncomfortable conditions, too little acid may leave patients at risk of infections, food poisoning, and other illnesses.

Generally, the acid kills bacteria that is ingested. However, if the acid level is decreased by a medication, this bacteria may survive. As COVID-19 results in gastrointestinal issues for a significant number of people, those who take PPIs may be at additional risk. These drugs may not only harm internal organs or cause kidney damage, they may also leave patients vulnerable to the pandemic.

Can I File an Omeprazole Lawsuit?

In a growing number of PPI lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that PPI usage caused kidney damage and other serious kidney side effects, including kidney failure.

If you or someone you love has suffered from serious side effects such as kidney damage after treatment with omeprazole (Prilosec) or other PPI medications, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these complications, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Litigation can be daunting, especially after suffering from these or other side effects, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. An attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.