Defective Pharmaceuticals · PPI
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI)
Nexium · Prilosec · Prevacid — kidney disease and long-term use injuries
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) — including Nexium (esomeprazole), Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole), and Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) — are widely used to treat heartburn and GERD. Some studies have reported associations between PPI use and kidney conditions, but an association does not establish that a medication caused an individual illness. Federal PPI kidney-injury cases were consolidated in New Jersey; check current court records for procedural status.
Background
What this litigation is about.
PPIs are among the most-prescribed drug classes in the United States, available both by prescription and (in lower doses) over the counter. They work by blocking gastric acid production.
Beginning in the mid-2010s, epidemiologic studies (JAMA Internal Medicine, JASN, BMJ Open, and others) reported associations between long-term PPI use and chronic kidney disease, acute interstitial nephritis, and end-stage renal disease. The FDA has issued label warnings addressing acute interstitial nephritis (2014) and other risks.
The JPML consolidated federal PPI kidney-injury cases in the District of New Jersey as MDL 2789 in August 2017, before Judge Claire Cecchi. Current litigation and settlement history must be checked for the relevant manufacturer and claim.
Reported injuries
Reported concerns and potential losses.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Progressive loss of kidney function documented after long-term PPI use.
Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN)
Inflammation of the kidney's interstitial tissue — the injury the FDA has warned about since 2014.
Acute kidney injury (AKI)
Sudden loss of kidney function requiring hospitalization or dialysis.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD)
Kidney failure requiring long-term dialysis or transplant.
Bone fractures
Increased fracture risk associated with long-term high-dose PPI use.
Individual review
Facts that may be relevant.
You took a PPI (Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Dexilant, or a generic) — often for months or years.
You were later diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, acute interstitial nephritis, acute kidney injury, or end-stage renal disease.
You have pharmacy records and nephrology records documenting the use and the diagnosis.
The kidney injury was not otherwise explained by unrelated causes.
Include over-the-counter use and other medicines
Kidney conditions have many possible causes. A complete medication and medical history is more useful than assuming that the timing of PPI use proves an injury was drug-related.
- Identify the active ingredient, brand, dose, and approximate duration of prescription and over-the-counter use.
- Request pharmacy histories and keep receipts or package photographs when available.
- Collect kidney-function tests from before and after diagnosis and specialist assessments.
- List other medicines and relevant conditions; consult the prescriber before changing treatment.
Key events
A timeline of what has happened so far.
1989
FDA approves omeprazole (Prilosec) — the first proton pump inhibitor.
2014
FDA updates PPI labeling to warn about acute interstitial nephritis.
2016
JAMA Internal Medicine and JASN publish studies linking long-term PPI use to CKD and ESRD.
Aug 2017
JPML consolidates federal PPI kidney-injury cases as MDL 2789 in the District of New Jersey.
Frequently asked
Questions answered plainly.
This page is for general information only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case statuses, MDL orders, and settlement terms change; call our office for a current review of your specific situation.
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