Proton Pump Inhibitor Kidney Injuries

Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, reduce stomach acid. They are among the most used medicines in the world1. Labels warn about a sudden kidney inflammation called acute tubulointerstitial nephritis2, and large studies have linked PPI use with chronic kidney disease. Federal PPI cases are coordinated in New Jersey as MDL No. 2789, where a settlement covers claims against some defendants3. A PPI lawyer reviews the drug, the years of use and the kidney records.

What PPI labels say about the kidneys

PPIs include esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix) and dexlansoprazole (Dexilant). Some are sold by prescription and some over the counter.

The Nexium label lists acute tubulointerstitial nephritis among its warnings and tells doctors to stop the drug and evaluate the patient if it is suspected2. The label does not carry a warning about chronic kidney disease2. That gap is part of what the lawsuits are about.

What studies have found about PPIs and kidney disease

• A study of 10,482 adults followed for years found PPI use was associated with a higher risk of new chronic kidney disease (adjusted hazard ratio 1.50). Twice-daily use carried a higher risk than once-daily use1.
• A study of about 173,000 new PPI users in the VA health system, compared with users of H2 blockers, found higher risks of chronic kidney disease (hazard ratio 1.28) and end-stage renal disease (hazard ratio 1.96). Risk rose with longer use4.

These are observational studies. They show associations in large groups, not proof that a PPI caused kidney disease in one person. People who take PPIs for years often have other kidney risks, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

The PPI lawsuits and settlement

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created MDL No. 2789 on Aug. 2, 2017. More than 18,600 cases were filed in it over about six years3. The cases are before Judge Claire C. Cecchi in the District of New Jersey5.

In an October 2023 order, the court noted a Master Settlement Agreement with the AstraZeneca and Merck defendants. Plaintiffs who did not settle with those defendants, and new cases filed after the order, must produce pharmacy records, a sworn affidavit and expert reports within set deadlines or face dismissal3.

MDL 2789 at a glance

Court

District of New Jersey, Judge Claire C. Cecchi5

Cases pending

11,404 as of Nov. 2, 2026 (18,755 filed in total)6

Settlement

Master Settlement Agreement with the AstraZeneca and Merck defendants (noted Oct. 2, 2023)3

New cases

Must meet record and expert-report deadlines under Case Management Order 1093

Settlement terms, deadlines and who qualifies are set by the agreement, not by this page. A PPI attorney can check how they apply to your drug and dates.

Kidney injuries involved

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Acute kidney injury
• Acute interstitial nephritis
• End-stage renal disease, dialysis or transplant

Who may have a PPI kidney claim

• Which PPI you took, prescription or over the counter, and for how long
• Your kidney function before you started, if known
• When and how kidney disease was diagnosed
• Other kidney risks, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Whether you already filed a PPI claim or signed a release

Who may be responsible

An investigation may look at the companies that made and labeled the PPI you took. The settlement noted by the court covers specific defendants only3.

Filing deadlines for PPI lawsuits

Deadlines depend on your state and on when you learned of the injury and its possible cause. Examples:

• Arizona: generally two years for personal injury and wrongful death7.
• California: two years for injury to or death of a person caused by another's wrongful act or neglect8.
• New York: three years for personal injury9, with a separate rule that runs from discovery for injuries caused by the latent effects of exposure to a substance in the body10.
• Texas: two years for personal injury and wrongful death11, and most product liability claims must be brought within 15 years of the product's sale, with an exception for certain latent diseases12.

When the clock starts can depend on when a person knew, or should have known, about the injury and its possible link to the medicine. Rules for children, wrongful death and claims against public hospitals can differ. Ask a PPI attorney to check the rules for your state early, before records are lost.

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Records that help a PPI review

Records worth gathering

Medicine

• Pharmacy printouts for all years
• OTC purchase records if any
• Prescriber notes

Kidneys

• Lab results (creatinine, eGFR)
• Nephrology notes
• Biopsy report if done

Treatment

• Dialysis or transplant records
• Bills and insurance statements
• Any prior claim papers

What happens after you contact CBW Law

How a review works

1. Tell us what happened

   Share what you remember about the medicine and your kidney diagnosis. You do not need every record first.

2. We map your use and labs

   We line up the years you took a PPI with your kidney lab results.

3. We gather records

   With your permission, we request pharmacy, medical and billing records from the places that treated you.

4. We explain what we see

   We tell you what the records show, what questions remain and what options may be open, including deadlines.

Kidney disease has many causes. A PPI claim depends on the drug, how long you took it and what your kidney records show.

Plain English

Medical, Health & Insurance

Terms you may see in a PPI kidney case.

Drug terms

Proton pump inhibitor

A drug that lowers stomach acid.

H2 blocker

A different kind of acid reducer, such as famotidine.

Kidney terms

eGFR

A blood-test estimate of how well the kidneys filter.

Chronic kidney disease

Kidney damage or reduced function lasting months or longer.

Acute interstitial nephritis

Sudden inflammation of kidney tissue, often from a drug reaction.

Treatment and coverage

Dialysis

A treatment that filters the blood when the kidneys cannot.

Medicare for ESRD

Medicare can cover people of any age with end-stage renal disease.

Questions

PPI lawsuit questions

Short answers to the questions people ask first.

Is there still a PPI lawsuit?

Yes. MDL No. 2789 listed 11,404 pending cases on Nov. 2, 2026. Some defendants reached a settlement, and new cases must meet court deadlines.

Which drugs are PPIs?

Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix and Dexilant are examples, along with their generics.

Does over-the-counter use count?

It can. A PPI lawyer will ask how you bought the drug and for how long.

Do the studies prove PPIs cause kidney disease?

No. They show associations in large groups. A PPI attorney looks at your own records and other risks.

What did the 2023 order do?

It noted a settlement with the AstraZeneca and Merck defendants and set deadlines for plaintiffs who are not settling.

Is the PPI lawsuit the same as the Zantac lawsuit?

No. PPI claims are about kidney injury; Zantac claims were about cancer from a different drug.

How long do I have to file a PPI lawsuit?

It depends on your state and on when you learned of the kidney injury and its possible link to the drug.

Should I stop my PPI?

Talk with your doctor. Do not stop a medicine because of a legal claim.

What if I am on dialysis?

A PPI lawyer will review your dialysis and kidney records, along with your medication history.

What does it cost to contact CBW Law?

Telling us your story costs nothing, and contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Tell Us Your Story

If years of heartburn medicine were followed by kidney disease or dialysis, a PPI attorney can review your records.

Tell us what happened. CBW Law will review your information and explain what we see. Submitting information does not establish an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation.

Tell Us Your Story →Call (800) 476-2416

This page is general information about proton pump inhibitors and kidney injury. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not stop or change a medicine without your doctor. Studies showing associations, a label warning or an MDL do not by themselves establish that a PPI caused any person's injury. Settlement terms are set by the agreements, not by this page. Laws and deadlines differ by state, and no outcome can be promised.