Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors (or PPIs) are a group of medications that prevent the release of acid in the stomach and intestines. Despite their widespread use, their effectiveness has not been definitively demonstrated. Recently, proton pump inhibitors have been linked to serious side effects, most notably an increased likelihood of birth defects when taken by the mother during pregnancy.
At RxRecall.com, our defective drug lawyers – well-versed in both the potential dangers of proton pump inhibitors and the product liability laws that protect American consumers – are presently investigating claims involving proton pump inhibitors and birth defects.
In late 2010, the New England Journal of Medicine published study that suggested that mothers that use proton pump inhibitors during early pregnancy were twice as likely to have a child with a heart defect that those who did not take the drugs. Three types of birth defects were specified in the study: septal defects, and right and left ventricular defects.
If your child was born with a heart problem or other birth defects after proton pump inhibitor use during pregnancy, contact RxRecall.com today. Our proton pump inhibitor side effect attorneys will carefully evaluate your claim and explain your legal options.
What are proton pump inhibitors?
Proton pump inhibitors work by blocking the production of stomach acid. They do this by shutting down a system in the stomach known as the proton pump.
Proton pump inhibitors are used in the treatment of GERD, stomach and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Doctors may prescribe using PPIs alone, or in combination with antacids. PPIs may also be used in combination with certain antibiotics (e.g. amoxycillin and clarithromycin) when treating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection (a bacterial infection of the stomach), which is thought to be one of the main causes of recurring stomach ulcers.
What are the different types of PPIs?
PPIs are similar in how they work, and there is no evidence that one is more effective than another. However, they differ in how they are broken down by the liver and how they interact with other medications. Also, the effects of some PPIs may last longer than others, and may be taken less frequently.
Popular PPIs include:
- Aciphex (raberprazole)
- Dexilant (dexlansoprazole)
- Nexium (esomeprazole)
- Prevacid (lansoprazole)
- Prilosec (omeprazole)
- Protonix (pantoprazole)
Prilosec is also available in over-the-counter form as Prilosec OTC.
Proton Pump Inhibitor Side Effects
During the NEJM study, a total of 174 of 5082 infants (3.4%) whose mothers were exposed to PPIs at any time between 4 weeks before conception and the end of the first trimester (defined as 12 weeks after conception) had a diagnosis of a major birth defect, as compared with 21,811 of 835,886 infants (2.6%) in the unexposed group.
Proton pump inhibitors have also been linked to a variety of other side effects, reports say. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that long-term use could result in hypomagnesemia. The FDA made it mandatory that that information be added to the labels for all prescription proton pump inhibitors.
Contact an RxRecall.com Proton Pump Inhibitor Lawyer
An experienced dangerous drug lawyer – one familiar with potential proton pump inhibitor side effects and with the product liability laws that protect you as a consumer – can help you obtain fair compensation. We have extensive experience with dangerous and defective drug cases. We can help you too.
Our proton pump inhibitor lawyers will represent you intelligently and aggressively. To speak with a trial-tested proton pump inhibitor side effects attorney, contact RxRecall.com today. We will protect your rights.
