Popular Acid Reflux & Heartburn Drugs Linked to Dangerous Side Effects
When the stomach produces too much gastric acid, it can enter other parts of the body such as the throat and cause irritation, ulcers and other damage. This burning sensation in the throat or upper chest, which is often referred to as acid reflux or heartburn, impacts millions of Americans. In fact, the National Institute of Health estimates that about 20% of Americans are affected by symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.
New scientific evidence shows that certain drugs used to treat heartburn and acid reflux are linked to severe and potentially deadly health problems. These drugs, known as proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) include popular medications such as:
- Prilosec
- Nexium
- Prevacid
- And others
These PPI drugs are some of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States, and have generated up to $14 billion in annual sales.
Now, scientific studies have linked regular use of PPI drugs to several dangerous health problems, including:
- Heart Attacks: A 2015 study found that patients that were exposed to PPI drugs faced a greater risk of suffering heart attacks compared to patients that were not taking these drugs.
- Kidney Disease: Two independent studies, both published in February of 2016, showed that use of PPI drugs was linked to kidney disease. One study also found that a patient’s risk of developing kidney disease increased the longer they were exposed to PPI drugs.
- Dementia: An April 2016 study showed that regular PPI users over the age of 75 had a “significantly increased risk” of developing dementia compared to other people in their age group that were not taking these medications.
Click here to read more about the dangers of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) heartburn medications.
If you or a loved one experienced any of the above health problems while taking a PPI medication such as Prilosec, Nexium, or Prevacid, call The Yost Legal Group at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529). The Yost Legal Group is made up of dedicated, compassionate attorneys that have extensive experience protecting the rights of those that have been injured by defective and dangerous pharmaceutical drugs.
Call today to find out how we may be able to help. When you contact The Yost Legal Group, you will receive a FREE, confidential consultation with one of our experienced Baltimore Drug Injury attorneys. You will never pay an attorney’s fee up front, and you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.
At The Yost Legal Group, we will stand up to major drug manufacturers and fight hard to secure the justice you deserve.
The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights