Our lawyers and attorneys are seeking people that have been hurt or that have experienced bone fractures from taking certain heartburn medications.
People who use proton pump inhibitors for 7 or more years to treat reflux, peptic ulcers and other conditions are at greater risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, according to this large observational study of 15,792 patients published in CMAJ.
The following heartburn medications are now required by the FDA to carry a new warning on their labels linking the drugs to a heightened risk for fractures.
PPI Heart Birth Defects
According to a medical report on proton pump inhibitor (PPI), there is a high danger or risk for women who are on PPIs during the first trimester of pregnancy. The report has shown an increase of risk of cardiac birth defects. Researchers conducted a massive population based study to see if PPI exposure in utero is associated with an increased risk for cardiac birth defects in newborns. Reference:
Rhim AD, et al "Maternal use of proton pump inhibitors during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for cardiac birth defects" DDW 2010; Abstract 475b.
PPI Risks: Bone Fractures
This class of drug, which is old under such brand names as Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, Losec, Zegerid, Prevacid and omeprazole essentially work as antacids and are prescribed to treat such conditions as heartburn, stomach and intestinal ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, dyspepsia, and inflammations of the esophagus. It’s a fairly simple approach: The drugs reduce the amount of acid the body is producing and causing the digestive problems.
However, the Food and Drug Administration and several research studies by respected health officials and medical researchers is finding that long-term use of these drugs also has the side effect of causing problems with the body’s ability to absorb calcium. We all remember how our mothers told us to make sure we drank enough milk so that we would get enough calcium in our bodies to help us grow up big and strong.
Unfortunately, most of the patients using PPIs for several years or longer are already adults and have attained full growth and are now at risk of suffering fractures, particularly of their hips, wrists, forearms and spines. Particularly at risk are women over 50 and those who are post-menopausal and osteoporosis is a constant concern.
FDA repsonse on PPI's
Dr. Joyce Korvick, deputy director for safety in FDA's Division of Gastroenterology Products has made statements on PPIs: "Epidemiology studies suggest a possible increased risk of bone fractures with the use of proton pump inhibitors for one year or longer, or at high doses,"
"Because these products are used by a great number of people, it's important for the public to be aware of this possible increased risk and, when prescribing proton pump inhibitors, health care professionals should consider whether a lower dose or shorter duration of therapy would adequately treat the patient's condition," she said.
The label will advise consumers to use this class of medicines, called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), carefully, because high doses have been associated with an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist and spine, the agency said.
List of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) Linked to Bone Fractures.
- Prevacid otc
- prevacid Solutab
- Prilosec otc
- Nexium
The most common side effects of proton pump inhibitors PPIs are:
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Rash
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