An alarming study adds to the safety concerns of drugs like Nexium and Prilosec, as researchers uncovered proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. This study comes amid massive litigation against PPI heartburn medication manufacturers for making their drugs unreasonably dangerous and causing injuries like bone fractures and kidney injuries.

In a September 28 study released by Gut, a medical journal, Chinese researchers concluded regular use of proton pump inhibitor medications may increase users’ risk of diabetes by nearly 25%.

Doctors prescribe PPIs to reduce the amount of acid in patients’ stomachs and treat ailments like heartburn, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some of the popular medications that belong to this drug class include Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix, among others.

In the study, researchers analyzed a group of 204,689 patients free of diabetes, then followed up with patients who developed diabetes aligning with criteria provided by the American Diabetes Association. According to their results, patients who routinely took PPI heartburn drugs were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who did not take medications in that drug class.

“Regular use of PPIs was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and the risk increased with longer duration of use,” the study’s researchers stated. “Physicians should therefore exercise caution when prescribing PPIs, particularly for long-term use.”

Millions of Americans use PPI heartburn drugs, but increasing studies raise concerns about the risks of taking these medications, this September study the most recent. Currently over 15,000 Nexium lawsuits, Prilosec lawsuits, and Prevacid lawsuits, among others, pend in the federal court system over injuries caused by these medications.

Plaintiffs allege manufacturers withheld information that PPIs increased the risk of kidney and bone injuries, putting company profits ahead of consumer safety. These lawsuits have been centralized as part of a multidistrict litigation in the District of New Jersey to await pretrial proceedings.

If you have taken PPIs like Nexium and Prilosec and experienced injuries, we’re here to seek justice on your behalf. The McGartland Law Firm works tirelessly to help victims of dangerous drugs hold companies responsible for their negligent and illegal activities. We have won multi-millions of dollars for our clients to help them recover from their injures. Also, we work on a contingency-fee-basis, allowing us to provide quality legal representation without undue financial risk to you. Call 1-866-832-9300 today to speak with one of our representatives about your case.