PrevAcid Lawyer

Published on August 23, 2016 by Sandy Liebhard

You should consider contacting a PrevAcid lawyer if you were diagnosed with serious kidney complications after using this popular heartburn medication. Recent studies have linked the use of PrevAcid and other proton pump inhibitors to an increased risk of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure, and a growing number of lawsuits claim that the drug’s manufacturers failed to provide patients and doctors with adequate warnings regarding these risks.

The nationwide law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP is now investigating potential PrevAcid lawsuits involving:

• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Renal or Kidney Failure
• Acute Kidney Injury
• Acute Interstitial Nephritis
• Need for Dialysis Treatment
• Need for Kidney Transplant

If you or a loved one suffered a serious kidney injury that could be linked to PrevAcid, please call to obtain a free legal review from one of our Firm’s drug injury lawyers.

PrevAcid and the Kidneys

PrevAcid (lansoprazole) was brought to market by Takeda Pharmaceuticals in 1995. It is currently approved to treat stomach and intestinal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid. An over-the-counter version, PrevAcid 24HR, was brought to market in 2009, and is indicated to treat frequent heartburn that occurs 2 or more days per week.

At its peak, PrevAcid was the second highest-selling prescription drug  in the U.S., with annual sales of over $3 billion. That’s not surprising, considering that some 15 million Americans took a proton pump inhibitor in 2013. However, recent research suggests that 70% of these prescriptions are inappropriate, contributing to concerns that many people are using the medications for far longer than what is currently recommended. Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors has been linked to an increased risk of certain fractures, C. diff infections, B12 deficiency and low magnesium levels. Recent studies have also suggested that extended use of the drugs might increase the risk of heart attack, dementia, and kidney damage.

In 2014, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) ordered the manufacturers of PrevAcid and other proton pump inhibitors to add information about acute interstitial nephritis, a type of kidney inflammation, to their product labels. This condition generally stems from a hypersensitivity reaction to a drug, and can progress to kidney disease and renal failure if not recognized and treated quickly.

Since the 2014 label update, three new studies have raised additional concerns regarding the kidney side effects potentially associated with proton pump inhibitor use:

• A study published in CMAJ Open in April 2015 suggested that seniors treated with proton pump inhibitors were 2.5 times more likely to experience an acute kidney injury, or the abrupt loss of kidney function.
• In January 2016, research published in JAMA Internal Medicine reported that using proton pump inhibitors might increase a patient’s risk of chronic kidney disease by as much as 50%.
• In April 2016, a study that appeared in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology suggested that proton pump inhibitor users had a 96% increased risk of developing kidney failure compared to patients who used alternative heartburn drugs like Zantac.

Our PrevAcid Attorneys Can Help

For decades, the nationwide law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP has successfully represented the victims of defective drugs and medical devices. Our PrevAcid attorney group is now available to assist individuals whose kidneys may have been harmed by this or another proton pump inhibitor. In addition to offering free case reviews, our legal team is providing representation to PrevAcid plaintiffs on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, you can file a PrevAcid lawsuit without paying any upfront attorneys fees or legal costs. Fees are only due if your case results in a financial judgment or settlement on your behalf. If your claim is not successful, you will not incur any legal fees whatsoever.

If you are interested in retaining a PrevAcid lawyer, please contact Bernstein Liebhard LLP today. Free, no obligation legal reviews can be obtained by calling .