The findings of a new study may bolster allegations raised in Nexium lawsuits: that the heartburn drug can dramatically increase a person’s risk for kidney problems and failure. The research, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology this month, found that patients who take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Nexium have a greater chance of suffering severe health complications.

According to the results, those who took PPIs had 96 percent increased risk of suffering kidney failure and a nearly 30 percent greater risk of developing chronic kidney disease compared to those who took  H2 receptor blockers for their gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD.

Dangers of proton pump inhibitors

Kidney damage isn’t the only potential side effect of proton pump inhibitors – some of the most widely prescribed drugs today. Nexium and other PPI antacids are also associated with bone fractures, especially when the medications are taken in high doses over prolonged periods. In 2010, the FDA issued a safety communication about this danger, stating “there is a possible increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine if you take certain drugs for heartburn, acid reflux or ulcers.” This fracture risk was added to Nexium labels for both over-the-counter and prescription doses.

Unfortunately for some, this label update came far too late. People who had no history of osteoporosis or brittle bones found themselves in the hospital with unusual fractures after taking PPIs like Nexium. After the FDA label change, the first wave of Nexium lawsuits was filed by patients who finally made the connection between the heartburn medication and their injuries.

Nexium manufacturer AstraZeneca faced numerous charges, including:

  • Design and manufacturing defects
  • Failing to adequately warn about potential Nexium side effects
  • Concealing known risks from the public and medical community
  • Relying on deceitful tactics to market the medication

Nexium kidney damage lawsuits

When it hit the market in 2001, Nexium was touted as a wonder cure for heartburn and acid reflux, and was generally perceived to carry few serious side effects. Now that consumers understand bone fracture and kidney damage risks, they can make more informed decisions before taking proton pump inhibitors.

Given the recent studies on kidney disease and renal failure in connection with PPI use, the potential for Nexium litigation continues to grow. When a claimant files a personal injury lawsuit regarding a defective or dangerous drug that caused harm, they may seek damages for:

  • Hospital and medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Emotional suffering
  • Loss of spousal consortium
  • Punitive damages

If you took Nexium and suffered bone fractures or kidney damage, you may be entitled to compensation. Explore your legal options with an experienced product liability attorney at The Sanders Firm. Our award-winning legal team has been litigating dangerous drug lawsuits in federal courts for more than 40 years, and has the resources to take on Big Pharma and win.

We offer free and confidential case reviews and are here to answer your questions. Call 1-800-FAIR-PLAY. Resources

  1. JAMA Internal Medicine, Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease https://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2481157
  2. Drugs.com, Nexium Side Effects https://www.drugs.com/sfx/nexium-side-effects.html
  3. CNN, Popular medications linked to higher risk of kidney failure https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/14/health/proton-pump-inhibitors-kidney-failure/
  4. WebMD, FDA Warns of Fracture Risk From Acid Reflux Drugs https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/news/20100525/fda-warns-of-fracture-risk-from-acid-reflux-drugs