(PPI) Proton Pump Inhibitor Side Effects

Long-term use of PPI medications may cause problems with the body’s ability to absorb calcium, magnesium and other vital nutrients. Patients who take the drugs for an extended period of time (typically over one year) are at risk of suffering kidney damage, bone fractures / breaks and other serious side effects.

 

• Acute interstitial nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
• Acute kidney injury
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Cardiac disorders
• Kidney failure (renal failure)
• Stroke
• Bone fractures (hip fracture, wrist fracture, spine fracture)
• Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia)
• Gut infections
• Dementia
• Severe allergic reactions
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

 

Many popular heartburn medications belong to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s). They fight and prevent the symptoms caused by excessive stomach acid that can lead to complications like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Unfortunately, the use of proton pump inhibitors has been linked to serious, averse health effects in patients. People who use heartburn medications with PPI ingredients may increase their risk of suffering from a severe bone fracture.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a proton pump inhibitor, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.

What’s the problem?

Food begins to breakdown in the stomach where millions of tiny pumps produce acid in order to digest the proper nutrients. As with many people, these stomach pumps produce just enough acid to break down the recently ingested food. Unfortunately, these pumps do not function properly in everyone. In certain cases, these pumps may produces too much acid that has the potential to reflux back through the esophagus and cause heartburn. A proton pump inhibitor prevents the over production of acid from these pumps. As a result, PPI’s can be used to block heartburn or any other complication brought on by excess stomach acid reflux.

Unfortunately, patients who take proton pump inhibitor medications may unknowingly be subjecting themselves to serious, adverse health effects. People who use PPI’s for an extended period of time, or in the wrong doses can increase their risk of suffering from a severe bone fracture. Catastrophic side effects such as these have been the cause of numerous proton pump inhibitor lawsuits.

Popular Proton Pump Inhibitor Medications

The following brand name medications are proton pump inhibitors:

• Aciphex
• Prevacid
• Prilosec
• Protonix
• Vimovo
• Zegerid
• Nexium