In 2013, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), which is one of the leading organizations in the fight against kidney disease, estimated that approximately 15 million Americans were prescribed Protein Pump Inhibitor (PPI) medications and millions more obtained PPI medications over-the-counter.
The purpose of PPI medications is to suppress the excessive production of stomach acids that can lead to the discomforting conditions of heartburn, acid reflux, or ulcers.
Earlier this year, ASN released a study claiming that those millions of Americans taking PPI medications were at a high risk of developing damaging kidney disease if they had been taking the medications for a long period of time.
The following is a list of the most common PPI medications (both brand and generic names) :
- Nexium (Esomeprazole)
- Prilosec (Omeprazole)
- Prevacid (Lansoprazole)
- AcipHex (Rabeprazole)
- Protonix (Pantoprazole)
- Zegerid (Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate)
- Dexilant (Dexlansoprazole)
- Vimovo (Esomeprazole/Naproxen)
If you are one of the millions of Americans taking a PPI medication such as those listed above on a daily basis, you could be putting yourself a great risk of developing kidney disease or suffering kidney failure. In fact, if you have been taking a PPI medication on a regular basis for years the damage may already have happened.
Those who have taken PPI medications for a long period of time and are now suffering from kidney disease or kidney failure may be entitled to compensation from the drug companies. Contact a Brock & Stout Personal Injury attorney today for a free consultation to see if you or your loved one may qualify for compensation. Our attorneys are here to fight for you and your family in your time of need. If you have any questions, please call us today and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can. We have been serving the Alabama and Florida community for over 24 years and we will be here to help you too whenever you’re ready.