Proton Pump Inhibitors linked to Alleged Health Risks

Proton pump inhibitor medications are among the most widely used medications in the world. They are used to treat certain gastrointestinal disorders, related to the production and location of stomach-acid.

Learn more about proton pump inhibitors, their alleged health risks, and whether you may be eligible to register for our class action investigation. 

What is a proton pump inhibitor? 

Proton pump inhibitors are a group of medications that first became available in Australia in the early 1990s. Their use has since increased by more than 1000%. When first launched, proton pump inhibitors had to be prescribed by your doctor, but now they are available over the counter in a pharmacy to be purchased.  

What are proton pump inhibitors prescribed or used for?  

Proton pump inhibitors are commonly prescribed or used to reduce the amount of stomach acid. PPI medications are used to treat conditions such as: 

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (known as GERD or GORD) (68% of PPI therapy for adults in Australia is for the treatment of GORD) 

• Peptic ulcers 

• Gastric ulcers 

• Oesophageal reflux 

• Frequent heartburn 

• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) 

Proton pump inhibitor medications are most prescribed in age groups above 40. Women are more frequently prescribed PPI medications than men across all age groups. People aged 70-74 years had the highest level of PPI medications prescribed compared to all other age groups, in both genders.  

Why would you be prescribed proton pump inhibitor medication? 

Although PPIs can be used to treat the above conditions, your doctor may have also prescribed proton pump inhibitor medications for symptoms including: 

• Heartburn 

• Regurgitation 

• Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing) 

• Laryngitis 

• Nausea 

How do proton pump inhibitors work? 

Proton pump inhibitors work by: 

• Suppressing acid production in the stomach  

• Reducing the potential for stomach acid reflux into the oesophagus 

• Promoting the healing of inflammation and ulcers in the oesophagus and stomach 

What medications are proton pump inhibitors? 

This table provides information about proton pump inhibitor medications in Australia. All proton pump inhibitors are included in the 928 medications (incorporating 5,261 brands) listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Proton pump inhibitors under the PBS 

Between 2013 and 2021, over 195 million prescriptions were dispensed for proton pump inhibitor medications in Australia. The PBS’ most recent annual Expenditure and Prescriptions Report (for 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023) details that: 

• Pantoprazole and esomeprazole proton pump inhibitor medications were among the PBS’ highest dispensed prescription medications 

• Pantoprazole, esomeprazole and rabeprazole medications were in the top 50 most-prescribed PBS medications 

The top 50 PBS brands by highest subsidised prescriptions included: 

• Pantoprazole Sandoz (1,591,807 prescriptions) 

• Pantoprazole APOTEX (1,544,978 prescriptions) 

• Somac (1,392,198 prescriptions) 

• APO-Esomeprazole (1,330,971 prescriptions) 

• Nexium (1,149,824 prescriptions) 

Are proton pump inhibitors safe? 

Shine Lawyers are investigating alleged health risks associated with proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump inhibitor medications have been found to be prescribed for longer periods and for higher doses than is recommended. Confusingly, long term use of the medication: 

• Is recommended only in limited medical circumstances, but 

• Accounts for the majority of usage of proton pump inhibitors 

This means that many people use proton pump inhibitors for a longer period, or in greater dosages, than is necessary.  

Do Proton Pump Inhibitors cause cancer and what are the other side effects?

Widespread use of proton pump inhibitors over many years has led to increasing concern about possible alleged health risks or side effects. These alleged side effects include an increased risk of developing: 

Stomach cancers, including: 

• Gastric adenocarcinomas 

• Neuroendocrine gastric tumours  

Kidney injuries, including: 

• Acute kidney injury 

• Acute interstitial nephritis 

• Chronic kidney failure 

• End-stage renal disease 

Shine Lawyers’ PPI Stomach Cancer & Kidney Damage Class Action Investigation  

Shine Lawyers, in consultation with US firm Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman is investigating whether the companies that manufacture and sell proton pump inhibitor medication failed to inform consumers about their alleged health risks (detailed above).  

Examples of proton pump inhibitor medications which you or your loved one may have used or continue to use include (active ingredient in brackets): 

• Somac (pantoprazole) 

• Losec (omeprazole) 

• Nexium and Nexium 24HR (esomeprazole) 

• Pariet (rabeprazole) 

• Zoton FasTabs (lansoprazole) 

PPI and cancer risk  

You may be eligible to register for Shine Lawyers’ class action investigation if, after taking proton pump inhibitors, (such as prescription medication for GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease medication) you’ve: 

• Been diagnosed with stomach cancer or tumours 

• Experienced kidney damage (including from acute kidney injury, acute interstitial nephritis, chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease) 

Dependants, beneficiaries or executors may also be eligible to join the class action investigation if an eligible person has died from stomach cancer or tumours or from kidney damage, after taking proton pump inhibitor medication. 

How to register for PPI Stomach Cancer & Kidney Damage Class Action Investigation  

You can register directly for Shine Lawyers’ PPI Stomach Cancer & Kidney Damage Class Action Investigation. Registration is: 

• Confidential 

• Obligation-free 

• Cost-free 

Click through to learn more and fill out the registration form.  

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