Heartburn Medication Injuries

Heartburn Medications

Heartburn is defined as a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone.

The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over, according to Mayo Clinic.

It occurs when stomach acid backs up into the tube that carries food you’re your mouth to your stomach.

Occasional heartburn is common and does not cause concern.

Most people can manage the discomfort that comes with heartburn on their own with the help of lifestyle changes and/or over-the-counter medications.

However, a number of heartburn medication products have been linked to serious injury and even death.

For individuals who suffer heartburn medication injuries, filing a heartburn medication lawsuit may be a necessary way to gain compensation for the injuries and losses that they have suffered.

Types of Heartburn Medication

Frequent heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease that occurs more than twice a week usually responds best to heartburn medicine that you take daily, rather than just when you feel the discomfort.

Most OTC treatments are not meant to be taken daily for a significant period of time.

Two (2) of the most common types of heartburn medications are:

• Proton pump inhibitors
• Histamine-2 blockers

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Depending on the source of your heartburn or reflux, your doctor can prescribe drugs that block acid production more efficiently and for a longer period of time than H2 blockers such as proton pump inhibitors.

PPIs are best taken an hour before meals.

Types of PPIs include:

• Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)
• Esomeprazole (Nexium)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid)
• Pantoprazole (Protonix)
• Rabeprazole (Aciphex)

Histamine-2 (H2) Blockers (Ranitidine)

In prescription form, H2 blockers can generally relieve heartburn and treat reflux, especially if you’ve never had treatment before.

Histamine stimulates acid production, especially after meals, so H2 blockers are best taken 30 minutes before meals.

They can also be taken before bed to suppress the nighttime production of acid.

Examples of prescription H2 blockers include:

• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Famotidine (Pepcid)
• Nizatidine

H2 blocker ranitidine (Zantac) was removed from the market in 2020 after it was found to contain cancer-causing agents.

If you or a loved one used this product you should contact a heartburn medication injury lawyer immediately to discuss your legal options.

Heartburn Medication Complications & Injuries

Though most cases of heartburn do not require any form of intensive medical treatment, that is not always the case.

Certain heartburn medications can lead to harmful unintended consequences that can lead to lifelong suffering or even potential death.

Reach out to a heartburn medication injury lawyer to see if you have a viable case to file a heartburn medication injury lawsuit.

Which heartburn medications are dangerous?

A study found that out of about 70,000 diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), roughly 45% were taking a PPI, and PPI users were 16% more likely to have a heart attack than non-users.

The Journal of American Medicine published research showing that PPIs can increase a patient’s risk of developing serious kidney problems such as chronic kidney disease.

Which Heartburn Medications Have Been Recalled?

The FDA detected the cancer-causing chemical N-nitrosodiemethylamine (NDMA) in several brand name and generic heartburn medications.

Officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall of all prescription and OTC ranitidine medications sold under the brand name Zantac.

Appco Pharma LLC voluntarily recalled prescription ranitidine hydrochloride capsules.

Northwind Pharmaceuticals voluntarily recalled prescription ranitidine tablets (150 milligrams and 300 mg), manufactured by Glenmark Pharmaceutical Inc.

Heartburn Medication Lawsuit

If you or a loved one have suffered from any personal injury or health complication due to taking heartburn medication you may be eligible to file a heartburn medication injury lawsuit.

The civil lawsuit process is extremely detail-oriented and filing a heartburn medication injury lawsuit can be difficult without the help of a legal representative.

You may be entitled to financial compensation through a heartburn medication injury settlement.

At TorHoerman law, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys specializes in heartburn medication injury lawsuits.

File your claim today before the statute of limitations expires.

Hiring a Heartburn Medication Injury Lawyer

Hiring a personal injury lawyer comes with several benefits.

A heartburn medication injury lawyer will be able to work with you and gather evidence to support your claim in court.

Furthermore, your legal representative will need to prove the liability of another party and your attempt at mitigation of your injury.

They will assess damages that you have suffered and fight for that amount or more in compensation.

Contact an experienced heartburn medication injury lawyer today to find out what the next step is for you.