Aciphex is an anti-heartburn medication that has been linked to many kidney problems, including sudden inflammation (acute interstitial nephritis), chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Aciphex induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with interstitial nephritis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is Aciphex?
Acipex contains rabeprazole, an antacid in the Proton-Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class that decreases the amount of stomach acid. It is primarily used to treat heartburn and ulcers.
Aciphex and Nephritis
The first case report linking Aciphex and nephritis was published in 2005, but reports of nephritis in patients on other PPIs were published in the 1990s. In one report from 2008, an 84 year-old patient on Aciphex rapidly developed kidney failure.
FDA Updates Nephritis Warnings
The warning labels on Aciphex were updated to include acute interstitial nephritis in December 2014. The FDA said nephritis is a hypersensitivity reaction that can occur at any time during treatment.
Study Links PPIs and Tripled Risk of Nephritis
The journal CMAJ Open published a study linking the use of PPIs with a tripled increased risk of nephritis, based on data from 290,000 adults over 66 years old in Ontario.
What is Interstitial Nephritis?
Interstitial nephritis is a sudden allergic reaction in the kidneys that causes inflammation. The spaces between the kidney tubules become swollen, which makes it harder for the kidneys to clean the blood and remove wastes from the body.
What Causes Nephritis?
Acute interstitial nephritis is usually caused by a bad reaction to a medication in the bloodstream. There are over 100 medications known to cause nephritis, including certain antibiotics, NSAID painkillers, and Proton-Pump Inhibitor (PPI) antacids like Aciphex.
Warning Signs & Symptoms
- Rash
- Fever
- Blood in urine
- Exhaustion
- Fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting
- Water retention
- Swelling
- Pain
- Confusion
- And more
Diagnosis & Treatment
When nephritis is diagnosed in its early stages, most patients recover near-normal kidney function within a few months of discontinuing Aciphex. The longer it goes untreated, the higher the risk of kidney failure. About 50% of people with nephritis develop symptoms of kidney failure, such as decreased urine output.
Patients with nephritis will be hospitalized to receive treatment, which typically involves anti-inflammatory corticosteroids. They may need dialysis, which involves mechanically cleaning the blood, or even a kidney transplant.
Do I have an Aciphex Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Aciphex induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with interstitial nephritis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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