Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcers, dyspepsia, Barrett’s Esophagus, and more common gastric issues like heartburn. For those that suffer from heartburn, acid reflux, or stomach ulcers, proton pump inhibitors can reduce the build-up of acids in the stomach and relieve painful symptoms. However, PPIs may also prevent the body from absorbing certain minerals, which can cause severe side effects such as chronic kidney disease. Because of the large numbers of people across the U.S. who suffer from heartburn, GERD, and similar gastric problems, these drugs are prescribed at a very high rate by physicians, in large part due to heavy advertising to the public and pharmaceutical promotion to doctors.
Reports show that PPIs rank among the highest selling classes of prescription drugs in the United States, with nearly 10 billion dollars in sales. One of the most widely known and commonly prescribed PPI’s, Nexium, generated nearly $6 billion dollars in sales in 2012 alone, according to Consumer Reports and IMS Health. Other widely recognized PPI’s include Prilosec and Prevacid, and all three can often be seen in television commercials for widespread brand recognition among the American public.
The FDA has issued several warnings about the potentially life-threatening side effects of the drug – including broken bones – and research studies have uncovered links between PPIs and kidney problems. For most of us in the U.S., the advice of our doctors comes with an implied sense of safety that, unfortunately, may be jeopardized by the greed and vast resources of the pharmaceutical companies. In fact, drugs like Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec may cause more harm than good when all is said and done. The experienced attorneys of the Plymale Law Firm know all too well the lengths that pharmaceutical companies will go to protect themselves and their profits, and we are currently investigating the true harm that PPIs may have on unsuspecting consumers. If you or a loved one has been taking a PPI and has suffered chronic kidney disease, please do not hesitate to contact us today.