Protonix is an anti-heartburn medication that is linked to severe kidney damage, nephritis (kidney inflammation), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), stomach cancer, and other side effects.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Protonix induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with kidney problems or other 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.
Protonix 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 Protonix.
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.
Can Heartburn Medications Kill You?
What is Protonix?
Protonix is the brand-name for pantoprazole, a medication called a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) that prevents acid reflux by decreasing the amount of stomach acid.
Protonix and Kidney Problems
Protonix was approved in 2000, but evidence linking PPIs and kidney problems has been growing since the early 1990s. After the FDA received dozens of case reports, the label on Protonix was updated in December 2013 to include acute interstitial nephritis — sudden kidney inflammation and swelling due to an allergic reaction.
Studies Linking PPIs and Kidney Disease
Protonix and other PPIs may triple the risk of nephritis, according to a study published in CMAJ Open in April 2015. Researchers also found a 2.5-fold increased risk of acute kidney injury based on data from 290,000 older adults in Ontario.
More recently, Dr. Morgan Grams of Johns Hopkins University published a study in JAMA Internal Medicine linking twice-daily doses of PPIs with a 46% increased risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
Kidney Disease Complications
The kidneys are two fist-sized organs that clean the blood, balance fluid levels, make hormones, and perform other essential functions. Kidney diseases can cause complications like anemia, weak bones, high blood pressure, heart disease, and more.
What is the problem?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm. However, we are currently filing individual lawsuits rather than a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of Protonix. We are evaluating cases involving the following side effects:
- Acute interstitial nephritis
- Kidney failure
- Acute kidney injury
- Kidney inflammation
- Renal disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Stomach cancer
About Class Actions
In general, class actions arise when a large number of people are harmed by the wrongful conduct of one corporation. Examples include discrimination, fraud, and selling defective products. It is very rare for consumer class actions to go to trial. In most class actions, everyone who joins the lawsuit shares the payout equally.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
When pharmaceutical companies fail to warn about side effects and people are seriously injured, class actions can have disadvantages. They are designed for efficiency rather than maximizing compensation, and members may have to accept higher attorneys’ fees or “low-ball” settlements.
Instead of a class action, our lawyers file individual lawsuits. We help victims of defective drugs seek compensation for their injuries, lost income, medical expenses, permanent injuries, and more. We specialize in holding drug-makers accountable for putting corporate profits above public safety.
Do I have a Protonix Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Protonix induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with kidney problems or other 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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The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
