Nexium & Prilosec Side Effects

Nexium & Prilosec Linked to Increased Risk of Bone Fractures

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On May 25, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers and health care professionals about a correlation between the drugs Prilosec and Nexium and a possible increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures. High doses or long-term uses of Prilosec and other antacid proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) make this increased risk of bone fractures more likely. The FDA has mandated a label revision for both over-the-counter and prescription PPI’s to reflect this increased risk. PPIs act to decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

PPIs are availabe by prescription under the names:

• Nexium
• Dexilant
• Prilosec
• Zegerid
• Prevacid
• Protonix
• Aciphex
• Vimovo

Those medications are used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid, including stomach and small intestine ulcers, and inflammation of the esophagus. To treat frequent heartburn, Prilosec OTC, Zegerid OTC, and Prevacid 24HR are used and are sold over-the-counter (OTC). The FDA approved Prilosec in September of 1989 and Nexium in February of 2001.

In 2008 CBS News reported a study that identified the possibility that long-term use of acid reflux pills may significantly increase an individual’s chances of fracturing bones. The study included research of more than 60,000 individuals aged 50 and older. Doctors who participated in the study found that individuals who took PPIs for five years were more than one and a half times more likely to develop hip fractures. Doctors found that people who took the drugs for seven years were four and a half times more likely to develop hip fractures. However, it was not until May of 2010 that federal heath regulators began to warn doctors and patients that certain popular heartburn drugs are likely to cause an increased risk of bone fractures when used for more than a year.

The new safety information came after several additional studies emerged that reported an increased risk of fractures of the wrist, hip, and spine with proton pump inhibitor use. Most of the studies evaluated persons 50 years of age or older. An increased risk of fracture was seen mainly in this age group. Some of these studies determined that those who had the greatest risk of developing fractures received high doses of proton pump inhibitors or used them for one year or more.

PPIs block the stomach from producing hydrochloric acid, but such acid helps the body absorb calcium. Calcium is a key ingredient in bone health and the drugs' acid-blocking effect may speed up bone loss.

The FDA’s decision to warn consumers about the increased risk of bone fractures applies to several PPIs.

You should be aware of potential bone fractures if you have taken any of these drugs for a significant period of time:

• Aciphex
• Dexilant
• Nexium
• Prevacid
• Prevacid 24HR
• Prilosec
• Prilosec OTC
• Protonix
• Vimovo
• Zegerid
• Zegerid OTC

PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE DISCONTINUING USE OF PRILOSEC, NEXIUM OR ANY OTHER MEDICATION

Contact the Law Offices of d'Oliveria & Associates, P.C.

If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered serious injury or death as a result of Prilosec or other PPIs, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney regarding a potential lawsuit. An injury lawyer familiar with new developments in the investigation may be able to help you make important personal and legal decisions.

Please contact the law offices of d'Oliveira & Associates at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation.