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Zegerid Lawsuit

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People who use Zegerid to treat GERD and other acid-related conditions may be more likely to develop serious kidney complications, including acute interstitial nephritis, chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.

Obtain a Zegerid Legal Review

The nationwide law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP is now offering free legal consultations to individuals who suffered serious kidney complications that may be related to the use of Zegerid or Zegerid OTC, including:

• Acute interstitial nephritis (kidney inflammation)
• Acute kidney injury
• Chronic kidney disease
• Kidney failure (renal failure)

To discuss filing a Zegerid lawsuit with a member of our legal team, please contact the Firm by calling (888) 994-5118.

Zegerid: What’s the Problem?

Zegerid consists of two medications: The proton pump inhibitor omeprazole and an antacid called sodium bicarbonate. Zegerid is a prescription drug indicated to treat GERD and other conditions related to overproduction of gastric acid by the stomach. The non-prescription form, Zegerid OTC, is intended for the short-term treatment of heartburn. The omeprazole in Zegerid blocks the action of acid-producing pumps in the stomach. Sodium bicarbonate protects the proton pump inhibitor from the affects of acid, so that more of the drug is absorbed by the body.

Proton pump inhibitors are some of the most popular medications currently on the market. Because they are so ubiquitous, few people give any thought to their safety. As such, they are often used by individuals who have no medical need for the drugs, and who would probably benefit from life-style changes or over-the-counter antacids like TUMS. And while proton pump inhibitors are generally only indicated for short-term use, many people are using the medications far longer than what is recommended.

Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole has been linked to a range of serious side effects, including certain bone fractures, B12 and magnesium deficiency, and C. diff infections. A growing body of research also suggests that extended use of these drugs might have a harmful impact on the kidneys, heart and cognitive function.

Zegerid and Kidney Problems

In 2014, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) ordered all proton pump inhibitor manufacturers to add new information about acute interstitial nephritis to their product labels. This sudden form of kidney inflammation is generally the result of an allergic reaction to a medication, and can progress to renal failure if not recognized and treated.

Since the FDA acted in 2014, several new studies have linked the use of proton pump inhibitors to dangerous kidney complications:

• April 2015: A study published in CMAJ Open involving 290,000 people found that the users of proton pump inhibitors were more likely to develop nephritis or acute kidney injury.
• January 2016: A study published in JAMA: Internal Medicine suggested that patents who took proton pump inhibitors twice a day were 46% more likely to develop chronic kidney disease. Those who used a PPI once per day had a 15% higher risk. Read More
• April 2016: Researchers writing in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology reported that people who took proton pump inhibitors had a 96% increased risk of kidney failure and a 26% increased risk of chronic kidney disease compared to patient using another type of heartburn drug. Renal failure was twice as common among proton pump inhibitor users, though the rate in both groups was low overall. Those who took proton pump inhibitors for long periods of time were more likely to develop kidney problems.

Learn More about Filing a Zegerid Lawsuit

You may be eligible to file a Zegerid lawsuit if you or a loved one were diagnosed with nephritis, kidney failure or chronic kidney disease while taking this medication. To obtain a free, no-obligation review of your case, please call (888) 994-5118.