Prilosec OTC | Omeprazole | Proton Pump Inhibitor | Lawsuit, Lawyer | Side Effects : Bone Fractures, Bone Breaks, Hip, Wrist, Spine, Hypomagnesemia | AstraZeneca’s Nexium | Takeda’s Prevacid | Prilosec OTC Procter & Gamble | Other PPI’s: Aciphex (rabeprazole) Protonix (pantoprazole) Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) Vimovo (combination of esomeprazole and the painkiller naproxen) Zegerid (combination of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate)
Gilman Law LLP, a leading national law firm with over 40 years of experience protecting the rights of victims, is now accepting claims for lawsuits involving side effects, including bone fractures and hypomagnesemia, associated with the use of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI), Prilosec.
Prilosec Side Effects and Symptoms
Osteoporosis and broken bones, including hip, wrist and spine fractures.
Taking Prilosec or other PPIs for longer than one year can lead to low serum magnesium levels, or hypomagnesemia
Prilosec and Bone Fractures
Prilosec works by blocking the enzyme in the stomach wall that produces stomach acid. The reduction of stomach acid can make it harder for the body to absorb some nutrients including calcium, which can lead to weakened bones and fractures. Taking a PPI such as Prilosec may increase your risk of bone fractures in the hip, wrist, or spine. The Prilosec bone fracture risk is highest for people over 50 years old, or those who use PPIs for more than a year or take high doses of the drug.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced in May 2010 that it was revising the safety labeling for PPIs, including Prilosec, to warn that they might be associated with a higher risk of hip, wrist and spine factures. The FDA issued the warning after it reviewed seven observational studies, six of which indicated that patients taking PPIs like Prilosec were more likely to suffer a bone fracture than those not on the drugs. The agency advised that doctors should be aware of the possible increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine with the use of PPIs, and weigh the known benefits against the potential risks when deciding to use them.
Prilosec and Hypomagnesemia
Hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium levels in the blood, can cause spasms of the hands and feet, muscular twitching and cramps, spasm of the larynx, convulsions and irregular heartbeat. In 2011, the FDA announced that a review of its Adverse Reporting System had uncovered 38 cases of hypomagnesemia among people who used Prilosec or another PPI. Another 23 cases were reported in the medical literature. Most cases occurred after a year of treatment. Treatment of hypomagnesemia generally requires magnesium supplements. But the FDA said that in approximately one-quarter of the cases reviewed, magnesium supplementation alone did not improve low serum magnesium levels and the PPI had to be discontinued.
What is Prilosec?
Prilosec, or omeprazole, is manufactured and marketed by AstraZeneca and is prescribed to reduce the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn. In addition to GERD, Prilosec is also used to treat erosive esophagitis. An over the counter brand, Prilosec OTC, is available without prescription in the US for treatment of heartburn. It is now also available from generic manufacturers under various brand names.
Legal Help for Victims of Prilosec Side Effects
If you or someone you know suffered a bone fracture or hypomagnesemia following the use of Prilosec, Gilman Law is here to help. For a free evaluation of your case, please fill out the online form on the left or call Toll Free at 1-888-252-0048.
