We already know that some chemicals can lead to the formation of cancer in a person’s body. PPI or Proton Pump Inhibitors are some of the most prescribed medications worldwide and in the U.S. Some popular PPIs include Esomeprazole, Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, and Nexium.
PPIs are commonly used to treat heartburns caused by acid reflux and protect the stomach lining. Heartburn is a burning sensation that you may sometimes feel in your chest. This burning sensation is caused when stomach acid travels upwards to your throat (acid reflux). PPIs are also used to treat stomach ulcers and Helicobacter Pylori. H. Pylori is a bacterial infection with symptoms similar to acid reflux. Other health issues people take PPIs for include dyspepsia and Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD).
Some of the defendant-producers in PPI cases are major pharmaceutical companies (Big Pharma). These companies include big names such as Proctor and Gamble, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca. Sadly, but as is common with pharmaceutical companies, these producers failed to warn the public of their drugs’ side effects. Their failure to issue adequate warnings is why you should file a lawsuit if you have suffered stomach cancer or any other disease because you used PPIs.
The Dangers of Using PPIs
PPIs, which were formerly golden drugs because of their efficacy, are now the subject of many lawsuits. Many people in the U.S. are suing different producers of PPIs for the side effects of their drugs. Unfortunately, the side effects of PPIs are not minor diseases. They are significant diseases with risks of fatality. Some of the conditions known to have been caused by PPIs include:
- Gastric Cancer
- Chronic Kidney disease
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Pancreatitis
- Liver problems
Researchers have shown that long-term usage of PPIs can cause various diseases and even death in some cases. The researchers found that PPIs’ long-term use was dangerous even if they were taken in small doses. The implication of this is that even if you don’t abuse or overuse the drugs, you are still at risk.
More disheartening is the fact that many people taking PPIs have no medical need for it. These are people suffering from using drugs that they never needed. Indeed, if they had been warned of these drugs’ dangerous side effects, they would have made more informed choices.
Gastric Cancer
At the forefront of diseases caused by PPIs is gastric cancer, which is also called stomach cancer. This type of cancer is the fifth commonest cancer, and it has a high mortality rate. Gastric cancer is caused by the growth of cancerous cells within the lining of the stomach. It can be challenging to diagnose gastric cancer because it takes time for its symptoms to start showing.
If you use PPIs for gastric acid suppression, you may be at risk of having cancer. This risk is because acid suppression, the very purpose of PPIs, has long been suspected as a risk factor of gastric cancer. If you use PPIs, you are more likely to suffer gastric cancer than anyone who doesn’t use the pumps. PPIs induce hypergastrinemia, gastric atrophy and cause bacterial overgrowth in the stomach. All these conditions double your chances of having gastric cancer.
Stomach cancer symptoms include nausea and vomiting, frequent heartburn, bloating of the stomach, bloody feces, fatigue, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. If you have experienced these symptoms while using PPIs, you should check with a doctor. You need a medical check-up to determine if you have stomach cancer since using PPIs increases your chances of having it.
Apart from the diseases listed above, researchers have also linked PPIs to other health issues such as dementia, heart diseases, pneumonia, and bone fractures.
Recoverable Damages
If you successfully prove that PPIs caused your stomach cancer or any other disease, you will be able to receive monetary compensation from the producer of the PPI. Your compensation could include medical bills, lost wages, and damages for your pain and suffering.
If You Developed Cancer From Using PPIs, You Need Our Drug Injury Lawyers
PPIs may give you relief from the ailments it was advertised to relieve. However, its side effects are grave. For putting you at risk, you can recover damages against the producer. Their withholding of information makes this recovery even more possible. However, it will be challenging to do this on your own.
Going on your own against a company as big as Proctor and Gamble is unwise. At Rueb Stoller Daniel, our lawyers are exceptionally skilled at successfully suing big pharmaceuticals on behalf of our wronged clients. Give us a call today to start taking steps to ensure the specific producer pays for the harm it has caused you.
