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PrevAcid Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

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Long-term use of PrevAcid may be associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease, or CKD. Chronic kidney disease is usually not curable, and without proper treatment can progress to kidney failure.

Studies Tie PrevAcid to Chronic Kidney Disease

The long-term use of PrevAcid and other heart burn medications called proton pump inhibitors has been the subject of concern due to their potential association with certain vitamin deficiencies, bone fractures and other serious complications. Recent studies have also suggested that overuse of these medications could increase a patient’ risk for chronic kidney disease and other serious renal complications.

In January 2016, scientists writing in JAMA Internal Medicine  reported that their analysis of medical records from 10,482 patients suggested that those taking proton pump inhibitors faced a 20–50% higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease compared to those using Zantac or another H2 blocker. The patients involved in the study were followed for an average of 13.9 years.

While kidney failure was rare in both groups, the rate was nearly double in those using proton pump inhibitors. Patients who used the medications for one to two years had a threefold higher risk of kidney failure than those who took the drugs for a month or less. Read More

Months later, a study published by the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology reported similar results. This time, more than 173,000 VA patients on proton pump inhibitors were compared with more than 20,000 others who were prescribed H2 blockers. Over a five year period, 15% of the proton pumps inhibitor patients were diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, versus 11% of those using the other medications.

In August 2016,  a study published in BMC Nephrology suggested that PrevAcid and other proton pump inhibitors were associated with a 10% increase in the risk for chronic kidney disease, as well as a 76% increased chance of death. The authors of the study suggested that the increased kidney risk  might be the result of unrecognized acute interstitial nephritis. Read More

PrevAcid CKD: Signs and Symptoms

Patients with chronic kidney disease experience the gradual loss of kidney function. Because symptoms may be vague during the early stages of the disease, diagnosis could be delayed, resulting in further damage to the kidneys. If you’ve been taking PrevAcid or another proton pump inhibitor, talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Nausea and/or omitting
• Diminished appetite
• Fatigue and weakness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in urination
• Decreased mental sharpness
• Muscle cramps, twitching
• Feet or ankles that swell
• Persistent itching
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure that’s difficult to control

Because there is no cure, treatment of chronic kidney disease is intended to manage symptoms and inhibit disease progression. To keep kidney disease from getting worse, patients should:

• Control blood sugar they suffer from diabetes.
• Maintain a healthy blood pressure.
• Follow a low-salt, low-fat diet.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes per day.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Don’t smoke or use tobacco.
• Limit alcoholic beverages
• Discuss medicines that can help protect the kidneys with a healthcare provider.

Diagnosed early, proper intervention can prevent kidney disease from progressing to kidney failure. Patents who do experience renal failure will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

File a PrevAcid Lawsuit for Chronic Kidney Disease

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is investigating legal claims involving Prevacid and chronic kidney disease. To obtain a free case consultation, please contact our office at (888) 994-5118.