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30 Jul / 2021

Amber’s Edit: Prevacid and Giving a Child a Potentially Dangerous Drug

Amber's Edit

Prevacid is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that is one of the “purple pills” subject to nationwide litigation involving a link between long-term Prevacid usage and the development of serious health conditions, including kidney damage and cancer. Other PPIs, such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Protonix, have also been linked to the same medical conditions.

Many parents trust that the information they receive from their child’s doctor is accurate. We all want to trust our doctors as we place our health in their hands. When doctors communicate information about drugs to parents, they can only communicate what they know.

All too often, drug manufacturers conceal information from doctors and patients, such as the dangers associated with Prevacid. Most doctors do not become aware of dangers and side effects until patients have already suffered injuries.

Parental Guilt – I Feel It Too

I have a son and made the decision to trust that Prevacid was safe to give him to treat acid reflux. I, like so many other mothers, trusted that my son’s pediatrician was aware of all known risks when prescribing Prevacid, which my son took for nearly one year.

The pediatrician who prescribed the medication for acid reflux assured both me and my husband that the medication was safe. Now that evidence has surfaced shedding light on the link between Prevacid (and other PPIs) and the development of cancer, I feel the same way my clients do – guilty for (1) trusting my son’s pediatrician and (2) allowing my son to remain on Prevacid for the first year of his life.

It is always easy to look back and feel guilty for taking certain actions, but as parents, you can only make choices based on the information you have at the time. When doctors are warned about the risks of drugs they can share this information with their patients, but the corporation has to be held accountable for not making the risks well-known. My pediatrician would not recommend a medication that is linked to cancer or other serious health conditions, but how can my health care provider know if the manufacturer is being sneaky?

The bottom line is that we, as patients and parents, must place some level of trust in our doctors. However, given the recent revelations of how dangerous common medications can be, parents should look beyond their doctor’s recommendations and research a specific drug before deciding whether to give that drug to their child. Without adequate knowledge, parents are not armed with the information they need to make the best choices for their children.

Is Your Story Similar? You Have Legal Options

Far too many drugs and consumer products cause unnecessary harm to both adults and children, and Prevacid is no exception. No parent can predict that a drug used to treat acid reflux would turn out to be dangerous, causing cancer and other health problems. As an Atlanta personal injury lawyer, I represent clients who have sustained serious and permanent injuries, including injuries linked to defective drugs. Trust me, I get it. 

I am a woman too. Hear me when I say that you deserve a full and impartial evaluation of your potential legal claims.  We have an office in Alpharetta and Cumming for your convenience.

Stay safe out there, 

Amber Gilormo, Esq.

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