Prevacid® and Wrist Fracture
Prevacid® might increase a patient's risk of bone fractures, including those in the wrist. To speak with an attorney about a Prevacid® wrist fracture claim, contact us today.
Prevacid® is an acid reducing drug whose generic name is Lansoprazole. It is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors that affect the level of acid in the stomach by shutting off the stomach's acid factories. Though these drugs have been deemed safe for use (and can even be found in pharmacies and drugstores in over the counter formulations such as Prevacid® 24HR) new research has led many, including the FDA, to question the safety of long-term use.
The drug is designed for short-term use only (usually prescribed in 14 day courses) but because it is used to treat chronic or recurring conditions, patients often abuse Lansoprazole and use it for longer periods of time.
Several studies have found that patients taking PPIs such as Prevacid® are also at risk for higher levels of bone fracturing, especially in the hip, wrist and spine.
Filing a Prevacid® Wrist Fracture Lawsuit
Filing a wrist fracture lawsuit against the makers of Prevacid® (either Novartis Consumer Health Inc. in non-prescription strengths or Takeda Pharmaceuticals in prescriptions strength) can be difficult. These fractures often mimic osteoporosis fractures and can be almost impossible to differentiate. That's because it is believed that Prevacid® may affect the rate at which a body absorbs bone-building material such as calcium because it lowers the level of acid in the stomach.
However, new federal regulations have acknowledged the link between Prevacid® and other PPIs and bone fracture. Due to the complexity of these lawsuits, it is important to hire an attorney with experience in these specific cases if you would like to be compensated for a bone fracture you think could be linked to Prevacid® use.
Heartburn Drugs and Bone Fracture Risk
New FDA regulations require that all manufacturers of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) update their warning labels to reflect the greater risk of bone fracture that patients taking these drugs are subject to as side effects. Drugs like Prevacid® and Nexium® have been linked in studies to increased instances of fracture and osteoporosis fracture of the wrist, hip, and even spine.
These changes came about after the FDA reviewed seven observational studies. In six of those, patients taking PPIs like Prevacid® were found to have a much higher number of bone fractures than those not on the drugs. This increase was multiplied if the patient:
- Was over 50 years old
- Had been taking the PPI for more than 1 year
- Had been taking multiple doses per day
- Or had been taking higher doses than the typical 15 mg per day
Contact a Prevacid® Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have taken Prevacid® (or any other PPI) and have suffered a traumatic break of the hip, wrist, or even spine, you may be entitled to seek compensation from that drug's manufacturer. In order to ensure you get the maximum amount you're entitled to, you should have an expert lawyer on your side. Contact our firm today and we'll connect you with one of our Prevacid® attorneys who can speak with you confidentially about your case. This consultation is completely free to you but may just change your life.
Don't wait. Your ability to seek damages may be subject to time frame limitations. Contact us today to help ensure that your claim is not denied.
