Charleston Prilosec Injury Lawyer

If you have been suffering from heartburn, also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD,) and you went to the doctor to find out what you could do about it, you were told about Prilosec, a proton pump inhibitor that would take care of your acid reflux issues. Prilosec is made and sold by AstraZeneca who first brought it to market in 1979.

Fast forward several years, you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and may need dialysis and a possible kidney transplant. What went wrong that the drug you were taking to help you harmed you instead?

No one should be in a situation where the medical help they need is the very help that seriously harms them or causes death. Serious side effects and other problems with medications frequently do not become evident until the product starts harming consumers.

The disturbing thing about a drug being on the market without much research into identifying any side effects is that drug companies have been known to push physicians to market their products off label, and use the questionable drug to treat conditions it was never approved to treat.

At the Steinberg Law Firm, get the firm behind you. We understand what it is like to discover that what you thought was helping you is actually harming you and we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Our Prilosec personal injury attorneys know the ins and outs of defective drug cases and work with you one-on-one to get justice. We also know that these drugs did not suddenly become a safety issue for those taking them. Issues have been noted as far back as 2002.

Prilosec

If you have been taking Prilosec regularly and have ended up with chronic kidney disease, interstitial nephritis, acute kidney injury, renal/kidney failure, or other serious side effects, it is time to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney at the Steinberg Law Firm. Close to 14 percent of Americans have taken a prescription PPI medication and even more have used the over-the-counter (OTC) versions.

Prilosec, Prilosec OTC, and Zegerid (Omeprazole) are classed as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). PPIs block stomach acid production. Other related drugs in the family of PPIs are Prevacid (lansoprazole), Aciphex (rabeprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole) and Dexilant (dexlansoprazole).

According to research conducted on PPI use between 2001 and 2008, about one in four consumers taking PPIs reported experiencing kidney damage. In 2016, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published the results of a significant study linking Prilosec to kidney disease. Of the over 10,000 patients involved, roughly 50 percent were on Prilosec or other PPI medications. The other 50 percent were not taking PPIs. It was determined that patients taking PPIs, including Prilosec, had a 20 to 50 percent greater chance of acquiring chronic kidney disease over the long-term while taking the drug(s).

Kidney disease symptoms

As the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function over time, chronic kidney disease sets in and they are no longer able to filter toxins out of the bloodstream. Symptoms include:

• Fluid buildup in the lungs
• Irregular heartbeat
• Swelling in the ankles, legs or feet
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Extreme fatigue
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Vomiting, nausea
• Acid rebound – if medication discontinued, the stomach may begin releasing too much acid
• Loss of appetite
• Rash
• Headache
• Trouble urinating
• Increased risk of low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia)
• Increased risk of heart attacks
• Increased risk bone fractures – FDA consumer warning mandated a labeling change in 2010 regarding this risk
• Chronic kidney disease
• Renal/kidney failure
• Interstitial nephritis
• Acute kidney injury
• Birth defects
• Intestinal infection – FDA warning re: serious gastrointestinal issue with Clostridium difficile in the elderly. Labeling changed to include warning, add information about drug interactions and how long Prilosec should be taken
• Vascular aging – This may contribute to illnesses such as dementia, renal failure, cardiovascular disease, cancer
• Bullseye rash (Erythema Multiforme)

What can be alleged in a Prilosec or PPI lawsuit?

Prilosec and other PPIs can be considered to be dangerous and defective drugs and thus the following may be alleged in a claim for damages:

• AstroZeneca misrepresented the security of Nexium, Prilosec etc. when marketing them as safe
• AstroZeneca failed to properly/adequately test the drugs
• Failed to warn consumers about the risks associated with the drugs
• AstroZeneca was negligent producing the drugs
• That the medication was marketed improperly or illegally
• AstroZeneca knowingly hid information about the dangers of Nexium and Prilosec from the public, the medical community and the government
• That Nexium and Prilosec are unreasonably dangerous and defective

Patients taking these drugs may be eligible for compensation for their injuries, including pain and suffering, medical expenses and loss of income or wrongful death damages if a loved one has died as a result of using Prilosec and other similar drugs.

Our defective drug attorneys are determined to help you recover the justice and compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The Steinberg Law Firm understands what it takes to make a solid defective drug case that results in fair and equitable compensation for you. Call us today for your free consultation and learn about your legal rights. Call the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 as soon as possible to tell us your story.

Defective drug lawsuits are extremely complex, and making sure you have an experienced Prilosec lawyer from the Steinberg Law Firm makes certain you do not face any potential pitfalls.

Our initial consultation is confidential and completely free of charge. You pay nothing to speak to a lawyer about your case. We understand that the claims process can be difficult, and the paperwork can really pile up. Our attorneys can help you understand the details of your case, your legal rights, and how to get the compensation and justice you deserve.