Dexilant is a heartburn drug that may increase the risk of nephritis (kidney inflammation), kidney disease, stomach cancer, and other severe side effects.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Dexilant induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with kidney failure or another severe side effect, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Dexilant and Stomach Cancer
In November 2017, a study published in the journal Gut found a doubled (2X) higher risk of stomach cancer for people who were on long-term treatment with heartburn medications in the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class, which includes popular antacids like Dexilant.
Dexilant Lawsuits Centralized in MDL
August 2017 — Judges have centralized 161 lawsuits involving kidney injuries from Dexilant and other PPI heartburn drugs into Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2798) under Judge Claire C. Cecchi in the District of New Jersey — In RE: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation (No. II). Drug-makers are accused of failing to warn that Dexilant can cause kidney injuries, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), acute interstitial nephritis, end-stage kidney disease, or kidney failure.
Study: Heartburn Drugs Increase Risk of Death
July 2017 — Researchers have linked the use of PPI heartburn drugs with up to a 50% increased risk of death compared to H2-blocker heartburn drugs, according to a study published in the journal BMJ Open. The researchers estimated 1 excess death per 500 people who take a PPI. Click here to read more.
Heartburn Drugs Causing Massive Health Problems
Study Links Dexilant and Kidney Failure
April 2016 — The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology has published a study linking long-term use of PPI antacids like Dexilant with a 96% increased risk of kidney failure and a 26% increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Click here to read more.
What is Dexilant?
Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is a heartburn medication made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It was approved by the FDA in January 2009 under the name Kapidex, but changed its name in March 2010 after several instances of dosing errors. Dexilant is a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) that prevents heartburn and acid reflux by reducing the amount of acid made in the stomach.
What is the Problem?
Dexilant and other PPIs have been associated with a number of renal diseases that can can cause kidney failure without proper treatment. These diseases include nephritis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and acute kidney injury. No one knows why PPIs are associated with kidney problems. However, several theories exist. One is that they lower magnesium levels, which can harm the kidneys. PPIs may also cause repeated bouts of low-level inflammation (nephritis) that cause progressive kidney damage over time.
Dexilant Label Updated to Include Nephritis
The FDA added warnings about acute interstitial nephritis to the label on Dexilant in December 2014. This side effect involves sudden kidney inflammation. It is typically caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to medications in the blood. Patients can develop kidney problems at any time while they are taking Dexilant.
About half of people with nephritis develop symptoms of kidney failure. Nephritis is responsible for about 1-3% of all cases of kidney failure. People with kidney problems can develop the following symptoms:
- Blood in the urine
- Fever
- Increased or decreased urine output
- Mental status changes (drowsiness, confusion, coma)
- Nausea, vomiting
- Rash
- Swelling of the body
- Weight gain from fluid retention
- And more
Studies Links Dexilant and Kidney Disease
In 2007, researchers published a systematic review of PPI-induced nephritis and found 64 case reports. After following the patients for eight months, most showed improvement but none had completely recovered normal kidney function.
In February 2016, Dr. Morgan Grams at Johns Hopkins University published a study linking twice-daily doses of PPIs with a 46% increased risk of kidney disease compared to people taking non-PPI heartburn drugs. Once-daily doses were associated with a 15% increased risk.
In April 2015, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association published a study linking long-term PPI use with a tripled increased risk of nephritis and a 2.5-fold increased risk of acute kidney injury. The study was based on data from 290,000 adults over 66 years old in Canada who started taking PPIs between 2002 and 2011.
FDA Safety Warnings for PPIs
About 15 million Americans are on long-term treatment with PPIs. Unfortunately, the FDA has issued warnings about a number of severe side effects:
- Bone fractures
- Hip, wrist, and spinal fractures
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Chronic diarrhea from Clostridium difficile infections
- Low magnesium
- Muscle spasms
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
- Stomach cancer
Dexilant Class Action
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm, bur our lawyers are filing individual lawsuits rather than a Dexilant class action. We specialize in holding drug-makers accountable for failing to warn about side effects. If you qualify to join this litigation, you could potentially receive compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and more.
Do I have a Dexilant Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Dexilant induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with severe side effects, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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