Kidney Risks with Nexium, Prilosec, Other PPIs Highlight Concerns Over Long-Term Use of Heartburn Drugs
Concerns are mounting over the potential risk of kidney injury from side effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), raising questions about the long-term use of the popular class of heartburn drugs, which includes blockbuster medications like Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid and others.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are designed to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, and are widely used for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as heartburn, ulcers in the stomach and small intestines, and inflammation of the esophagus.
Drugs that belong to the class include some of the biggest selling medications in the U.S., with Nexium alone generating an average of $6 billion per year in sales before it became available as a generic.
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Learn MoreAlthough the medications are widely believed to be safe, and many individuals continue to take the drugs for years to avoid the return of acid reflux or severe heartburn episodes, a number of potential side effects have been linked to proton pump inhibitors in recent years, including bone fractures, heart problems, infections and dementia.
One of the more recent concerns to emerge is a potential increased risk of acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, acute interstitial nephritis and other kidney problems linked to Nexium, Prilosec and other proton pump inhibitors.
In April 2015, a study published in the medical journal CMAJ Open found that side effects of acid reflux drugs may increase the risk of kidney injury and acute interstitial nephritis, which involves inflammation that can lead to kidney failure.
That research was followed by a study published earlier this year in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine, which also found an increased risk of chronic kidney disease with use of proton pump inhibitors. Users of Nexium, Prilosec and other heartburn drugs may face a 50% higher risk when compared to non-users.
Researchers concluded that PPI may lead to chronic kidney disease through recurrent acute kidney injury, leading to recommendations that doctors provide patients with information about the risk and recommend alternatives to long-term drug use, such as lifestyle changes.
As a result of these findings, a growing number of individuals diagnosed with kidney problems in recent years are now considering potential Nexium lawsuits, Prilosec lawsuits or other claims against the makers of proton pump inhibitors, involving allegations that the drug makers knew or should have known about the kidney risks, yet failed to warn consumers and the medical community.
In December 2014, the FDA required a number of warning label changes, adding information for the first time about the risk of acute interstitial nephritis seen among users of proton pump inhibitor, such as Nexium. This condition causes reduced kidney function, and if prompt treatment is not received, it may lead to kidney failure.
However, many critics suggest that the PPI kidney warnings do not go far enough, as many people take Nexium, Prilosec and other drugs in this class for years and years, often without any clear reason other than remote symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn that have since resolved.
If information had been provided about the link between PPI and kidney injury, many individuals may have avoided severe injury by stopping the drugs for periods of time to determine if symptomatic treatment was needed.
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16 Comments
EllaApril 15, 2016 at 5:04 am
I have been using these products for at least 4 years, Just recently heard of the side effects. Did discuss with my doctor. He did not take me off. Just said they have been studying the side effect. I still suffer with Acid Reflux to some degree, At times I will take Alka Seltzer and another product DGL Ultra, Which the doctor said was a temporary fix. We need some straight answers from the doctor[Show More]I have been using these products for at least 4 years, Just recently heard of the side effects. Did discuss with my doctor. He did not take me off. Just said they have been studying the side effect. I still suffer with Acid Reflux to some degree, At times I will take Alka Seltzer and another product DGL Ultra, Which the doctor said was a temporary fix. We need some straight answers from the doctor.
SheilaApril 14, 2016 at 12:04 pm
For more than 20 years I've been using one form are another for GERD Acid Reflux and Ulcers I have been diagnosed with Stage 3 Kidney Disease what do you do when you need the medication .
IrmaApril 11, 2016 at 9:04 pm
I have been using these products for about 30 years and so far, so good. Then again, I had no insurance for many years and when I was working 2-3 jobs and going to school, I had no tome to go to doctors. I now have Medicaid, and many tests and procedures are not covered. So, I guess only time will tell!
DebraApril 11, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Been taking prevacid For years for acid reflux now have problems with kidneys and gallbladder also many bone fractures
DebApril 9, 2016 at 2:44 pm
I'm not sure how we live without these drugs. I have taken various PPIs for years. If I stop, my esophagus, stomach, and small intestine become terribly inflamed. After all these years of use, it is frightening to read about these new findings...including dementia.
connieApril 9, 2016 at 4:01 am
They tell you of the harm it can do but no one can suggest what to take as an alternative. So what does one do when they have to take something?
BooApril 7, 2016 at 10:11 pm
I've been taking Prilosec over 20 years. 1 morning and 1 at night. I also for the same time have been taking Saw Palmetto that is good for the prostate for that long and you can add Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM to that list for my knees. So far no Kidney problems. I turned 75 this January.
JoyceApril 7, 2016 at 4:39 am
II too have been on omeprazole 40 daily for at least 20 or more years. First put on it when I was diagnosed with a gastritis and GERD. I continued on it and when I tried to stop it I had what is now considered "rebound" GERD symptoms. Waking up at night with burning in my throat from regurgitated acid. So my family doctor continued me on it. Several times over the years I questioned him about [Show More]II too have been on omeprazole 40 daily for at least 20 or more years. First put on it when I was diagnosed with a gastritis and GERD. I continued on it and when I tried to stop it I had what is now considered "rebound" GERD symptoms. Waking up at night with burning in my throat from regurgitated acid. So my family doctor continued me on it. Several times over the years I questioned him about continuing to take it for so long and he assured me that I needed it, particularly when I told him about those night time issues with regurgitated acid/food that burned my throat. Last October I saw my GI Dr. about an episode of ever diarrhea with dehydration that caused me to be hospitalized. He ordered a colonoscopy, which I had never had before. (I'm 76 years old.) I finally relented to having one done. But while I was there, I questioned him about taking the omeprazole all those years. The OTC directions tell you not to continue taking them more than 14 days without advice from your physician. There had to be some reason for that warning! Now I've been reading everywhere about how the long term use of this drug may be causing kidney disease. And guess what one of my many diagnoses is: Yep, Chronic Kidney disease. Now I am also wondering if I developed cardiomyopathy from this drug also.
GayleApril 6, 2016 at 2:43 pm
I, too, have been on one brand or the other of these drugs for many years. Stopping them abruptly causes extreme rebound effect. I plan to research how to wean off of the Omeprazole, and hopefully can control g.e.r.d. with diet.
CindyApril 5, 2016 at 3:14 am
I've been taking Prilosec for many, many years...since before it became an over the counter drug. I stopped taking it over a year ago because of heart issues related to this medication. My doctor put me back on it about 6 months ago to heal esophageal ulcers. I didn't know about kidney related problems, and am now wondering if the adrenal tumor on my right kidney is related to extended use. Scary [Show More]I've been taking Prilosec for many, many years...since before it became an over the counter drug. I stopped taking it over a year ago because of heart issues related to this medication. My doctor put me back on it about 6 months ago to heal esophageal ulcers. I didn't know about kidney related problems, and am now wondering if the adrenal tumor on my right kidney is related to extended use. Scary stuff.
SteffiApril 3, 2016 at 8:41 pm
I have been taking Nexium for years 40mg once a day. If I forget a dose the next day my Gurd is back full force. My kidneys are being checked. I can't live without this drug.
GailApril 3, 2016 at 1:27 pm
yes, it's real. I took Prilosec for silent GERD twice daily and within 2 months, my kidney function dropped 4 points. After stopping for just over a month, it rose back up 5 points. I'm so glad I had
LauraApril 2, 2016 at 12:17 pm
I would like to know if this includes such things as simple kidney cysts I have 2 on left kidney one pretty large and growing from within the kidney to the outside and something starting to form in the right kidney and took protonix for several years with no break then stopped due to no insurance and now back on it for ulcers. I see a kidney specialist in a couple weeks
RobertMarch 31, 2016 at 3:29 am
Taken PPI since 1990. Emergency hospitalization 12/11/15 with acute kidney failure.
JeannetteMarch 30, 2016 at 10:32 pm
I have taken nexium for about 4years twice Dailey then Prilosec for about a year now Omepthezal for 3 years twice Dailey I have acid reflux as well as IBS . I worry about kidney disease so far they are working They did sit down in 09 but came back haven't had a problem since
tommy and AnitaMarch 30, 2016 at 2:30 am
is this for real??