Drugs commonly used to treat conditions corresponding to heartburn, acid reflux disease, indigestion and stomach ulcers could possibly be the topic of a class motion lawsuit in Australia.
Lawyers are examining whether Long-term use of those over-the-counter and prescription medications has been linked to stomach cancer and kidney disease.
The potential class motion lawsuit follows a settlement in a related multi-million dollar lawsuit in the United States. Last 12 months, the international pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca settled in for US$425 million (A$637 million) after patients reported that two of its drugs caused serious and potentially life-threatening negative effects.
Patients said drugs like Nexium (esomeprazole) and Prilosec (omeprazole) increase the danger of kidney damage.
What drugs are trafficked in Australia?
The class of medication we’re talking about is “proton pump inhibitors” (sometimes called PPI). In a potential class motion lawsuit in Australia, lawyers investigate:
These drugs, depending on the concentration and quantity, can be found in pharmacies over-the-counter or with a prescription.
They have been available in Australia for over 20 years and are in top ten drugs issued under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Program.
They are used to treat conditions made worse by stomach acid. These include heartburn, acid reflux disease, and indigestion. They work by blocking a protein accountable for pumping acid into the stomach.
These medications are also prescribed in combination with antibiotics to treat the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.
nobeastsofierce/Shutterstock
What can we learn about risk?
Proper use of proton pump inhibitors plays a crucial role in treating several serious digestive problems. As with all medications, there are risks related to their use depending on how much and how long they’re used.
When used appropriately, proton pump inhibitors for short-term treatment of stomach problems are frequently well toleratedsecure and effective.
Their risks are mainly related to long-term use (using them for greater than a 12 months) due to negative effects resulting from reduced stomach acid levels. In older people, these include an increased risk of intestinal and respiratory infections, nutrient deficiencies, and fractures. Long-term use of those drugs in older people can be related to an increased risk dementia.
In children, an increased risk is observed risk of significant infection related to the usage of these medications, whatever the duration of their use.
What about cancer and kidney risks?
Currently in Australia, consumer information leaflets accompanying medicines corresponding to this one, esomeprazoldon’t list stomach cancer or kidney damage among the many risks of proton pump inhibitors.
So what does the evidence say about risk?
In the past few years, large studies have been conducted on the overall population who’ve taken proton pump inhibitors. These studies have shown that folks who take them are almost twice as likely to develop stomach cancer and 1.7 times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease compared to individuals who don’t take them.
In particular, these studies indicate that users of the drugs lansoprazole and pantoprazole have about three to 4 times greater risk of developing the disease than non-users. chronic kidney disease.
Although observational studies suggest an association between medication use and these outcomes, we cannot use this evidence to conclude that one causes the opposite.
crystal light/Shutterstock
What can I do if I’m frightened?
Several digestive conditions, especially acid reflux disease and heartburn, can profit from easy changes to eating regimen and lifestyle. However, overall evidence because they are usually not strong and their effectiveness varies from person to person.
However, it might be helpful to avoid large meals two to three hours before bedtime and to limit your intake of fatty foods, alcohol and coffee. Eat slowly AND losing a few pounds If you might be chubby, it may additionally help relieve symptoms.
There are also medications aside from proton pump inhibitors that could be used for heartburn, reflux, and stomach ulcers.
These include over-the-counter antacids (e.g. Gaviscon and Mylanta), which work by neutralising the acidic environment of the stomach.
Alternatives to prescription medications include nizatidine and famotidine. They work by blocking histamine receptors in the stomach, which reduces stomach acid production.
If you might be concerned about taking proton pump inhibitors, it is vital to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before stopping them. This is because after prolonged use, stopping them may result in increased or ‘rebound’ acid production.