Popular Heartburn Medications Linked to Serious Diseases and Conditions
Proton Pump Inhibitors, or PPIs, are a group of medications designed to inhibit the amount of gastric acid your body produces. However, serious and life-threatening medical conditions have been linked to prolonged use of PPIs. Those effects can include increased risks of:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Developing C. diff
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Dementia
- Bone fractures
The medications in question are Nexium, Protonix, Prilosec, and Dexilant. The main allegation faced by the manufacturers is that their products caused kidney injuries including acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. The details are docketed in the case Re: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation [No. II], MDL Docket No. 2789, JPMDL.
The companies facing allegations include:
- AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
- Procter & Gamble Co., McKesson Corp.
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
- Pfizer Inc.
- Pfizer subsidiary Wyeth
Where the lawsuits stand now
To begin with, the Plaintiffs of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) presented a motion, calling for centralization before U.S. Judge David R. Herndon of the Southern District of Illinois. This is to be followed by a July 27 hearing before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPMDL). This time the Plaintiffs are looking forward to a positive ruling as JPMDL had denied centralization in January earlier this year. However, significant developments led to the scheduling of a second hearing. The defendants were expected to submit their responses by June end. More than 160 cases have already been filed in 28 federal district courts.
McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC proudly upholds the rights of injury victims who have developed life-threatening complications as a result of taking PPIs. To speak with an experienced dangerous drug lawyer in South Carolina or North Carolina, please call 803-327-7800, or fill out this contact form.
Randy is the former President of the South Carolina Association for Justice. He has been certified by the American Board of Professional Liability as a specialist in Medical Malpractice Law which is recognized by the South Carolina Bar. Randy has also been awarded the distinction of being a “Super Lawyer” 10 times in the last decade. He has over 25 years of experience helping injured people fight back against corporations, hospitals and wrong-doers.
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