Proton Pump Inhibitor Lawsuits

Millions of Americans rely on prescription proton pump inhibitors to prevent and treat heartburn and other acid-related stomach disorders. PPIs work best when taken over a long period of time, but research connects long-term use to serious kidney concerns.

Studies link the widely prescribed medications to kidney damage and kidney failure, as well as some cancers. As of April 2024, 18,668 people in the U.S. have filed lawsuits against PPI manufacturers after developing renal problems. Of these cases, 12,814 are still active as the settlement process is underway.

In October 2023, AstraZeneca announced a $425 million settlement for claims against Nexium and Prilosec, which should resolve most cases in the NJ MDL. The settlement agreement was announced just days before the first bellwether trial scheduled on October 10, 2023.

According to AstraZeneca, a single case remains pending in the US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. The trial is scheduled in that case for April 15, 2024.

Unlike a class action, each lawsuit in an MDL remains its own separate case. The combined proceedings help the courts efficiently manage several similar complaints and prevent court backlogs.

Plaintiffs name different manufacturers of PPI products in the MDL, including drug-making giants AstraZeneca and Merck. The products of concern include Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix and Dexilant, both over-the-counter and prescription.

Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for injury and disease they developed because of the use of PPIs. Since 2017, the FDA has issued several safety warnings about the long-term use of PPIs, and plaintiffs claim that PPI manufacturers knew the risks to the products but failed to warn consumers.

Proton pump inhibitor lawsuits in the MDL outline a number of damages from using these medications. These include life-threatening conditions.

A 2022 meta-analysis from the American Journal of Clinical Oncology determined that PPI use increases the risk of cancer. The researchers analyzed data from more than 6 million participants covering multiple different forms of cancer. The data from this analysis shows that PPI use increases the risk of gastric, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.

Research has shown a link between using proton pump inhibitors and kidney damage, including acute kidney injury. As far back as 1997, a study from an Australian hospital noted a link between omeprazole — the active ingredient in Prilosec, Zegerid and other PPIs — and kidney injuries. Since then, research has linked PPIs to cases of acute interstitial nephritis, a serious inflammatory kidney condition.

A meta-analysis based on 12 observational studies showed a significant association between PPI use and the risk of AKI. Additionally, a report in the Hospital Physician Journal declared PPIs to be the “most common cause” of acute interstitial nephritis based on multiple large hospital studies.

Studies also show that PPI users are at a 20-50% increased risk for chronic kidney disease. The average time patients used PPIs before developing CKD was approximately five months. Patients who used PPIs twice daily had an increased risk.

Bone Injury and Other Complications

In addition to kidney damage, PPIs are associated with bone and nerve injury. Studies indicate menopausal women have an increased risk of fractures and PPI use further increases this risk.

Additionally, a 2022 study in the International Journal of Surgical Reconstruction indicates that long-term, high-dose daily use of PPIs increases the risk of nerve damage. Patients using the medication also take longer to heal broken bones after surgery.

Multiple lawsuits followed a 2010 FDA warning that prescription and OTC PPIs could increase the risk of spine, hip and wrist fractures. The FDA withdrew the warning in 2011. The agency explained that OTC heartburn medications are intended only for short-term use and therefore didn’t carry the same risks as prescription PPIs, which patients take at higher dosages and for longer periods of time.

As hundreds of bone fracture cases mounted against AstraZeneca in 2012, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created an MDL in the Central District of California. Some manufacturers offered PPI lawsuit settlements. While the FDA said in 2023 that for the majority of users, PPI use isn’t likely to increase bone fractures or lower bone density and didn’t recommend product warning labels at this time, plaintiffs continue to pursue manufacturer accountability for their PPI-related bone injuries.

You may be eligible to file a PPI lawsuit if you developed acute kidney issues or chronic kidney disease after using a PPI. Additionally, if you were prescribed a PPI during recovery from bone surgery and your fracture did not heal as expected, or if you were prescribed a PPI during menopause and developed a bone fracture, you may have a case. Research has also linked PPI use to some forms of cancer.

To determine whether you’re eligible to file a PPI lawsuit or join PPI MDL, speak to an attorney with experience in product liability lawsuits. They can advise you on how best to proceed.

Steps for Filing a PPI Lawsuit

There is a lot of information to consider before filing a PPI lawsuit. Discuss your potential claim with an experienced lawyer who will advise you on what to expect, including what documents you may need and what damages you can claim.

If you used prescription or OTC PPIs and later developed a kidney injury, you may be eligible to file a PPI lawsuit. Timing can be an essential factor when filing legal claims, so talk to a PPI lawyer as soon as possible if you think you may have a claim.