Update: Acid Reflux Drugs May Double Risk of Stomach Cancer, Study Finds

December 1, 2017 – Long-term use of PPIs can increase your risk of stomach cancer by up to 250%, a new study published in the journal Gut has found. For short-term treatment, the drugs have proved safe and effective in suppressing stomach acid production. However, for a small percentage of people who carry a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, the risk of developing stomach cancer increases dramatically when they take a PPI for an extended period of time, according to the study.

What is Vimovo?

Vimovo (generic: esomeprazole and naproxen) belongs to a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that are used to treat stomach ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These drugs work by stopping cells in the lining of the stomach from producing too much acid. This can help prevent ulcers from forming and reduce acid reflux-related symptoms such as heartburn. Vimovo is made by Horizon Pharma, and was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2010.

Which Heartburn Drugs are PPIs?

In addition to Vimovo, other proton pump inhibitor heartburn medications include:

PPIs Linked to Increased Risk for Kidney Disease: Study

A January 2016 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that PPIs may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The researchers followed 10,482 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study for a median of 14 years, comparing PPI users to non-users, as well as to patients who took H2 receptor antagonist heartburn medications (Zantac, Tagamet, Pepcid etc.). After adjusting for confounding variables, the researchers determined that PPI use was independently associated with a 20-50% increased risk of CKD, whereas the use of H2 receptor antagonists was not associated with kidney problems.

CKD Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:

  • Changes in urination (bubbly or foamy urine, traces of blood, frequent urination)
  • Fatigue
  • Swelling of the ankles, legs, hands and/or feet
  • Nausea
  • Bad taste in mouth
  • Skin rash / itchiness
  • Chills
  • Leg pain
  • Out of breath
  • Dizziness

Vimovo Side Effects

In addition to being linked to both temporary and long-term kidney injuries, PPIs like Vimovo may cause the following serious side effects in certain users:

  • Cardiac disorders
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Bone fractures (hip fracture, wrist fracture, spine fracture)
  • Broken bones
  • Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia)
  • Gut infections
  • Clostridium difficile infection
  • Community-acquired pneumonia
  • Dementia
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • And more

Heartburn Drugs linked to Stomach Infection

January 6, 2017 – People who take proton pump inhibitor heartburn medications may be at an increased risk of developing stomach infections, according to a new study. The research, published Thursday in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, found that among a cohort of 565,000 adults, patients who took PPIs had higher rates of infection with C. difficile and Campylobacter bacteria than those who did not take the medications.

PPI Side Effects May Cause Rhabdomyolysis After One Dose, Report Finds

September 26, 2016 – The side effects of Nexium (esomeprazole), applied intravenously in a single dose, caused a man to develop a debilitating muscle problem known as rhabdomyolysis, according a case report published in the journal Medicine. Doctors from Gyeongsang National University Hospital in South Korea report that the 45-year old patient suffered signs of muscular breakdown after being given an intravenous dose of Nexium.

PPIs Linked to Brain Problems, Fluid Buildup

September 1, 2016 – Proton pump inhibitors like Vimovo may increase the risk for loss of brain function (hepatic encephalopathy) and fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites), according to a recent study published in Hepatology. The researchers found that 52% of test subjects took a PPI during clinical trials, and these patients had a 31% cumulative 1-year risk for hepatic encephalopathy. The study’s authors warned that doctors should be extremely careful when prescribing proton pump inhibitors to patients with pre-existing risk factors for cirrhosis.

PPI Heartburn Drugs Linked to Cardiovascular Complications

August 19, 2016 – Vimovo and other PPIs may cause cardiovascular complications in patients with heart disease, according to a recent study published in the International Journal of Cardiology. Proton pump inhibitor users were 6 times more likely to suffer from anemia and a worsening metabolic profile, the study found. The researchers concluded that prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors was associated with a worsening of red blood count indexes, lower weight and underutilization of cardioprotective medications.

Kidney Damage, PPIs Linked in New Study

April 14, 2016 – Vimovo could be increasing rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal failure, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). According to the research, PPI users were 26% more likely to suffer chronic kidney disease (CKD), and 96% more likely to develop kidney failure compared to patients who took histamine H2 receptor blockers (Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac), another class of heartburn drug used to suppress stomach acid.

Can I File a Class Action?

To date, no class action has been filed over injuries allegedly caused by Vimovo or any other proton pump inhibitor drug. The problem with class action lawsuits is that members of the class have no control over how the complaint is handled or what settlement is reached, and members may even be included in the lawsuit if they weren’t notified of the action.
Additionally, if you have suffered a significant injury that may be different from the injury other class members have suffered, or if you lost a large amount of money, it may be favorable to file a private lawsuit so you can exercise more control over your own case. For these reasons, our lawyers are reviewing potential individual claims on behalf of people who suffered kidney damage after taking Vimovo.

Do I Have a Vimovo Lawsuit?

The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Vimovo lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.

Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you suffered kidney damage after taking Vimovo or other PPI heartburn medication, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help.

FREE Confidential Case Evaluation

To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (866) 223-3784.

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