New study links popular heart burn medications with increased risk of death
Heartburn can range from an annoyance to a serious medical condition, depending on how much excess stomach acid is released. About 15 million Americans are using over-the-counter or prescription versions of a medication called a Proton Pump Inhibitor or PPI to treat their heartburn. Unfortunately, research has shown that many of these medications can cause serious, even deadly side effects.
PPI Medications Linked with Increased Risk of Death
In a study recently published in the BMJ Journal, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine compared the health of patients who were prescribed a PPI vs another type of medication called an H2 blocker. After tracking deaths for 5 years, the researchers found a 25 percent increased risk of death in the PPI group. The greatest increase in risk was found in patients who did not have a diagnosed gastrointestinal issue, and in cases of prolonged use of the medication.
The Washington University study is hardly the first indication that PPI medications can be dangerous. There is a long and established history of research on the risks of PPIs, especially Prilosec.
Prilosec Side Effects
Prilosec was the first PPI medication introduced to the American market in 1998. In the years since, research has shown that Prilosec can increase risk of:
Bone Fractures: According to a study published in JAMA in 2006, individuals over 50 who take Prilosec for a year or longer are 2.65 times more likely to fracture a hip. The FDA has also warned against increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures in Prilosec patients.
Magnesium Deficiency: In 2011, the FDA released a warning stating that long-term use of Prilosec can cause magnesium deficiency, which in turn causes neurological, muscular, and cardiac problems.
Heart Attacks: A study from Stanford University, which was published in the journal PLOS in 2015, showed a relationship between heart attack risk and Prilosec, even in patients who did not have any history of heart disease.
Kidney Problems: In 2016, two notable studies confirmed a link between PPIs and kidney problems including declining kidney function, chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure. One of these studies found that taking Prilosec increased the risk of developing chronic kidney disease by 20 to 50 percent.
Prilosec Lawsuits
AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Prilosec and other PPIs medications such as Nexium, has been the target of numerous lawsuits. Patients allege that AstraZeneca failed to provide adequate warnings regarding the risks of taking Prilosec. This failure led patients to take Prilosec when they could have chosen a safer medication instead. It also prevented some patients from insisting on kidney monitoring that could have prevented serious illness or death.
Take On the Drug Companies and Win with The Law Office of Larry H. Parker
At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we partner with a nationwide group of personal injury law firms to provide superior quality representation in pharmaceutical lawsuits. If you have been injured by taking Prilosec or another PPI, or if you have lost a loved one due to side effects from these medications, we can help you secure the compensation you deserve from the manufacturer.
For a free initial case evaluation, please contact us at 800-333-0000.
