A Prilosec lawyer notes that the heartburn medication has been linked to serious, sometimes life-threatening risks and side effects, including an increased risk in complications associated with the kidneys such as renal failure. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to recover compensation for their injuries with the help of a bad drug lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with an affiliated Prilosec lawyer who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Prilosec and How Does It Work?
Prilosec, the brand name of omeprazole, is a medication used to treat heartburn, damaged esophagus, stomach ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Prilosec is also used to help heal damage to the esophagus caused by stomach acid and may be given in combination with antibiotics to treat gastric ulcers caused by H. pylori bacterial infection.
Prilosec belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPI). PPIs main function is to decrease the amount of acid produced by the stomach. They work by blocking the enzyme that produces acid in the wall of the stomach. Acid reduction prevents ulcers and allows any existing ulcers in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum to heal.
Prilosec Side Effects
Common side effects of Prilosec include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Gas
Other serious reactions may occur when taking Prilosec. Patients are advised to speak with their doctor at once if they experience any of the following allergic reactions:
- Rash
- Face swelling
- Throat tightness
- Difficulty breathing
Prilosec Renal Failure
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, renal failure (also known as kidney failure) is an advanced form of kidney damage characterized by less than 15 percent of normal kidney function. If the kidneys fail, dialysis or kidney transplant are the two main treatment options patients have.
Symptoms of renal failure may include but are not limited to:
- High levels of urea in the blood, which can lead to dehydration, weight loss, increase and decrease in urination, and blood in the urine
- A buildup of phosphates in the blood, potentially causing bone damage and muscle cramps
- A buildup of potassium in the blood, which may lead to abnormal heart rhythms and muscle paralysis
- Swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, hands and/or face
- Polycystic kidney disease, which causes large, fluid filled cysts to form on the kidneys and sometimes the liver
According to research published in the peer-reviewed medical journal BMC Nephrology, previous publications have suggested an association between the use of omeprazole (Prilosec) and acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), a complication of the kidneys that, if left untreated, can lead to renal failure.
Other Prilosec Risks
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), other serious risks and side effects may occur when using Prilosec to treat heartburn or acid reflux disease, including:
- Severe diarrhea: An infection in the intestines caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria may develop as a result of taking Prilosec. Symptoms may include watery stool, stomach pain, and fever that does not go away.
- Bone fractures: People who take multiple daily doses of PPIs such as Prilosec for long periods of time may have an increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures.
- Vitamin B-12 deficiency: Because Prilosec reduces the amount of acid in the stomach and stomach acid is needed to properly absorb vitamin B-12, people who take Prilosec may experience a vitamin B-12 deficiency.
- Low magnesium levels: People who take PPIs such as Prilosec for at least three months may experience symptoms associated with low magnesium levels. These symptoms include seizures, dizziness, jitteriness, jerking movements or shaking, abnormal or fast heartbeat, muscle weakness, spasms of the hands and feet, muscle cramps or aches, or spasms of the voice box.
How a Prilosec Lawyer Can Help
Drug makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by the Prilosec may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
