Heartburn and acid reflux are two of the most common digestive complaints. Millions of Americans suffer from indigestion and rely on medications to help control their symptoms. Unfortunately, two types of heartburn drugs have come under fire in recent years due to the risks they pose to patients.
Zantac (ranitidine) is an over-the-counter heartburn drug that is commonly considered a first line of defense against the condition. But both the brand name medication and all of its generic equivalents were recalled in October 2019 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration discovered they were contaminated with higher than accepted levels of a substance called NDMA. This substance increases the risk of cancer.
Another class of heartburn drugs is called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and they are often considered to be a last line of defense against the condition outside of surgery. But these drugs are also connected to serious side effects and injuries, including chronic kidney disease and stomach cancer. A study found that people who take PPIs have a 39% higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease, and another study found that they have an eight times greater risk of developing stomach cancer.
If you have heartburn, it’s important to check the medications you take to control it, and if possible, try to manage it with lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes and weight loss. But if you do take heartburn medications and suffer a serious injury, our drug injury lawyers want to help. Contact Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel today for a free consultation.