Prevacid Lawsuit for Protein Pump Inhibitor Birth Defects

In light of growing information regarding the dangers of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications to fetuses and infants, many parents have felt it necessary to file a Prevacid lawsuit. An experienced Prevacid lawyer provides hope for those seeking justice for their infants who have suffered Prevacid birth defects.

Dangers of Proton Pump Inhibitors

Prevacid is the brand name for a drug called lansoprazole, which is part of a group of protein pump inhibitors (PPI medications). Typically taken in capsule form, Prevacid reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces. The drug takes several days to begin working and is generally taken over a period of time to treat or prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, other esophageal conditions or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Over 119 million prescriptions for Prevacid and other PPI medications were written in 2009 alone, many to pregnant women facing pregnancy-related acid reflux. Unfortunately, new studies indicate that PPI medications increases the risk of birth defects, leading many affected families to file a Prevacid lawsuit in an attempt to hold the manufacturer responsible.

Risk of Prevacid Birth Defects

The FDA has classified Prevacid as a category B drug, which is a classification used when animal studies haven’t yet shown a risk to fetuses, but when there are no conclusive studies done with actual pregnant women. The FDA also reported that dosing pregnant rabbits with large amounts of PPI medications increased the risk of miscarriage.

Further, while the FDA has not yet confirmed a known danger due to lack of conclusive studies done on pregnant women, a 2010 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated a 39 percent greater risk of birth defects in infants whose mothers had consumed PPI medications in the weeks leading up to pregnancy. A 2010 University of Pennsylvania study also indicated that fetuses exposed to PPI medications in the womb had double the chances of developing a cardiac birth defect.

Types of Prevacid Birth Defects Eligible for a Prevacid Lawsuit

Potential birth defects arising from the use of Prevacid and other PPI medications include:

• Atrial or ventrical septal defects: A hole in the heart between the two upper chambers, or a hole in the heart between lower chambers.
• Coarctation of the aorta: A narrowing of the aorta that leads to restricted blood flow.
• Tetralogy of the Fallot: A Prevacid birth defect involving multiple congenital abnormalities.
• Hypoplastic left or right heart syndrome: A condition where parts of the heart do not properly develop.
• Problems with the kidneys, lungs, brain or limbs.

These and other Prevacid birth defects can be expensive to treat, sometimes requiring multiple surgeries. They may also have lifelong impacts, and can sometimes be fatal. Parents who have an infant born with a Prevacid birth defect may want to consider filing a Prevacid lawsuit to seek justice for these PPI-induced problems.

Getting Legal Help for Prevacid Birth Defects

When a dangerous product causes a birth defect, the manufacturer of that product may be held responsible. If you or a loved one has been affected by Prevacid birth defects, contact an experienced Prevacid lawyer at Chaffin Luhana LLP at 1-888-480-1123 for a free and confidential case review today. You may be entitled to compensation, and the lawyers at Chaffin Luhana can help.