Prilosec

Orlando, Florida Prilosec Lawyer

Prilosec, a prescription medication used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and heartburn, is manufactured by drug giant Proctor and Gamble. Despite its popularity, Prilosec has been linked to an array of serious side effects. Prilosec use may cause wrist, spine, or hip fractures. Prilosec patients who experience adverse reactions may be entitled to compensation for their suffering.

 

Were you or a family member treated with Prilosec? Did you experience serious Prilosec side effects? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering.

 

At The Law Office of Frank M. Eidson, each Orlando, Florida Prilosec lawyer has the experience necessary to stand toe-to-toe with big pharmaceutical companies like Proctor and Gamble. Our firm has the resources to successfully litigate a Prilosec lawsuit. Through the years we’ve handled innumerable personal injuryand dangerous drug claims. If you’ve experienced Prilosec side effects, our attorneys can help.

 

To discuss your potential Prilosec lawsuit, contact The Law Office of Frank M. Eidson today. An experienced, trial-tested Prilosec lawyer will carefully evaluate your case and explain your legal options.

What is Prilosec?

Prilosec, whose main active ingredient is omeprazole, comes in both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription formulations. The drug is in a category of medications called proton pump inhibitors. These work by decreasing the formation of acid in the stomach. Although people need an acidic environment in the stomach to help digest food, too much acid can lead to illness. Prilosec is used to treat:

  • Stomach ulcers.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease, often called GERD. This occurs when the acidic contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus, resulting in inflammation of the lining of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube-shaped part of the body through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach.
  • Erosive esophagitis, which is inflammation and erosion of the walls of the esophagus.

What are proton pump inhibitors?

Proton pump inhibitors, like Prilosec, work by blocking the production of stomach acid. They do this by shutting down a system in the stomach known as the proton pump.

 

Proton pump inhibitors are used in the treatment of GERD, stomach and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Doctors may prescribe using PPIs alone, or in combination with antacids. PPIs may also be used in combination with certain antibiotics (e.g. amoxycillin and clarithromycin) when treating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection (a bacterial infection of the stomach), which is thought to be one of the main causes of recurring stomach ulcers.

Prilosec Side Effects

Serious side effects most often reported in Prilosec users include the following:

  • Hip fractures
  • Wrist fractures
  • Spine fractures
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Stroke
  • Allergic reactions
  • Heart attack
  • Weight loss

 

The risk of these Prilosec side effects is greatly increased in patients receiving high doses or in intervals greater than a year at a time. In May 2010, the FDA announced that warnings would be provided about the risk of bone fracture side effects from prescription strength PPI drugs. The warnings came after FDA drug safety reviewers looked at a number of epidemiological studies into PPI bone fracture risks. A year later, the FDA updated an earlier drug safety communication indicating that it has determined that the use of high doses of PPIs for more than a year can increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures of the hip, wrist and spine.

Prilosec Use and Plavix

In November 2009, the FDA warned the public and healthcare professionals that individuals taking the anti-clotting drug Plavix should not take Prilosec because they may lessen the effects of Plavix. This may prove problematic since approximately 50% of patients taking Plavix also take Prilosec and similar drugs to prevent stomach bleeding and ulcers, which are common side effects of taking Plavix. A previous study indicated that if you took PPI drugs like Prilosec, the risk of heart attack and stroke increased by 50%.

Prilosec Lawsuits

It’s not uncommon for pharmaceuticals to be associated with adverse effects or serious side effects. However, drug manufacturers and sellers have certain responsibilities to the public, including:

  • Exercising reasonable care in drug development, manufacturing, inspection, and labeling.
  • Informing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the public of any side effects.
  • Advertising in a truthful and non-misleading way.

 

As a consumer and patient, you have the right to trust that your medication is safe. This is not always the case. When a pharmaceutical company acts negligently, its actions can result in serious side effects. Victims however, may have a remedy by bringing a product liability claim against the drug’s maker.

 

Well-versed in the product liability laws that protect consumers, our Orlando, Florida dangerous drug attorneys have handled countless claims on behalf of victims nationwide. To discuss your claim, contact an experienced Prilosec lawyer.

Contact Our Orlando, Florida Prilosec Attorneys

As a consumer and a patient, you have the right to trust your medication is safe. Tragically, this is not always the case. When a pharmaceutical company acts negligently, its actions can result in serious side effects. Victims however, may recoup damages through a successful product liability claim against the drug’s maker.

 

Our Prilosec attorneys represent victims across the Central Florida. Well versed in the product liability laws that protect consumers, our Orlando, Florida Prilosec attorneys have handled countless lawsuits involving harmful pharmaceuticals. If you have experienced Prilosec side effects, contact us today and discuss your potential claim with an experienced trial attorney.