Heartburn is a common ailment caused by too much stomach acid that is regularly treated today with one of three popular medications: Nexium (esomeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), and Prilosec (omeprazole). These medications are proton pump inhibitors used to reduce or control stomach acid that can be prescribed by a doctor, but can also be obtained over the counter. Recently, however, studies have shown that prolonged use of these medications has caused health complications that could change the affected patients’ lives forever. While the complications may vary on a case to case basis, the three most common diagnoses are kidney complications that include Acute Interstitial Nephritis (AIN), Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Victims of these defective drugs may want to seek the advice of a trusted accident lawyer in the Hudson Valley right away.
Acute Interstitial Nephritis
AIN often comes with symptoms such as decreased urine output, fever, fatigue, nausea, water retention, and elevated blood pressure. It is usually a negative reaction to medication, in this case the proton pump inhibitors in Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec which are used to treat excess stomach acid. Doctors can use urinalysis, kidney ultrasounds, and kidney biopsy to diagnose patients. If the problem is detected too late it can cause permanent kidney damage that may require ongoing treatment and lead to more severe complications down the road.
Acute Kidney Injury
AKI is sudden kidney failure or kidney damage that wreaks havoc on many other parts of the body including the brain, heart, and lungs. Symptoms include, decreased urine output, swelling, fatigue, nausea, and sometimes seizures. In some cases there are no noticeable symptoms and only testing will find the problem. This condition is diagnosed using urinalysis, blood tests, ultrasounds, and biopsy. The complications are similar to that of AIN and if the damage is severe enough, patients may require dialysis or transplant. Even in the less severe cases ongoing kidney problems and increased risk of future health problems are often the result.
Chronic Kidney Disease
CKD can include any condition that damages kidneys and prevents them from performing their functions. Some symptoms of CKD include fatigue, trouble concentrating, decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, swelling, and frequent urination. Doctors diagnose CKD using blood tests, ultrasounds, and biopsy. Patients diagnosed with CKD generally experience a gradual loss of kidney function that will eventually require dialysis or a transplant to keep the patient alive.
Victims of these defective drugs may want to seek legal advice
Defective drugs are an increasingly serious problem today and an increasing number of victims are turning to legal professionals to learn about the different options they have available to them. Patients that have been diagnosed with AIN or AKI by a biopsy within six months of last taking Nexium, Prevacid, or Prilosec, or diagnosed with CKD within two years of last taking the medication may want to seek a qualified accident lawyer in the Hudson Valley to help get compensation for the medical bills and ongoing expenses resulting from the damage.
