Nexium® Lawsuit | Nexium Lawyer, Nexium Attorney

Nexium is a heartburn medication that is linked to an increased risk of kidney damage. Over 13,500 lawsuits have been filed by people who were injured by kidney side effects of Nexium and similar drugs.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Nexium induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with kidney failure or other kidney side effects, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: Over 13,500 Nexium Lawsuits Centralized in New Jersey

August 2019 — There are now more than 13,500 lawsuits involving people who suffered kidney side effects after taking Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid, and other PPI heartburn drugs.

The lawsuits accuse drug-makers of aggressively marketing Nexium without important safety information, such as warnings about the risk of developing acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, renal failure and other side effects.

The federal lawsuits are centralized into Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2798) under Judge Claire C. Cecchi in the District of New Jersey — In RE: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation (No. II).

Study: Heartburn Drugs Increase Risk of Death

Researchers have linked the use of PPI heartburn drugs with up to a 50% increased risk of death compared to H2-blocker heartburn drugs, according to a study published in the journal BMJ Open. The researchers estimated 1 excess death per 500 people who take a PPI. Click here to read more.

Can Heartburn Medication Kill You?

What is Nexium?

Nexium belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach and are used to treat conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux disease.

Kidney Side Effects of Nexium

Other Serious Side Effects of Nexium

Bone fractures
Low magnesium levels
Tetany (muscle spasm)
Infections
Arrhythmia and heart problems
Seizures

Studies Link Nexium and Kidney Disease

In January 2016, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found a 20-50% increased risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) associated with some of the most popular heartburn drugs on the market.

People who took PPIs twice a day were 46% more likely to develop CKD, and once-daily users had a 15% higher risk. Conclusions were based on data from 10,500 patients who used PPIs between 1996 and 2011.

Long-term use of PPIs was associated with a tripled increased risk of nephritis in a study published in April 2015 by the medical journal CMAJ Open. Researchers also found a 2.5-fold increased risk of acute kidney injury.

The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology has published a study linking long-term use of PPI antacid medications like Nexium with a 96% increased risk of kidney failure and a 26% increased risk of chronic kidney disease.

FDA Adds Kidney Inflammation (Nephritis) Warnings to Nexium Label

In December 2014, the FDA added warnings about acute interstitial nephritis to the label. The agency warned that nephritis can occur at any time when patients are taking Nexium. Without treatment, it can cause kidney failure.

The first case reports linking Nexium and kidney inflammation (nephritis) were published in 1992. By 2004, AstraZeneca reported 15 cases worldwide. The number of case reports has continued to grow, including some reports involving patients who needed long-term dialysis for kidney failure.

Other Severe Side Effects of Nexium

The FDA has added new warnings about severe side effects of Nexium, including:

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Acute interstitial nephritis
Recommended treatment length for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Drug interactions with methotrexate (a cancer drug that can remain in the body and become toxic) and mycophenolate mofetil
Drug interactions with Plavix (clopidogrel), a blood-thinner that may be less effective in patients on heartburn drugs
Bone fractures

Nexium and Bone Fractures

In a 2006 study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, 135,000 people at least 50 years or older were studied. Patients who took PPIs for longer than one year at a high dosage were found to be 2.65 times more likely to break a hip. Additionally, the risk of fracture increased with the length of time PPIs were taken.

Because of the study’s findings, the FDA has said that all PPIs will now carry a new warning label about the potential risk of bone fractures. In March 2011, The FDA determined over-the-counter (OTC) PPI medications do not need this warning. They concluded that fracture risk was not likely for short-term (14 days or less) and low doses.

Bone fractures occur because of a lack of calcium in the body, due to PPI usage. When the amount of stomach acid is reduced, the body undergoes a health decline because of a decrease in the amount of nutrients absorbed. For example, low stomach acid limits the body’s ability to absorb calcium, which can lead to a softening of the bones.

Nexium and Hip Fracture Risk for Older Women

In January 2012, the British Medical Journal has published the results of a study which found that many popular heartburn medications may increase the risk of hip fractures, especially in older women. Post-menopausal women who took one of these medications regularly for at least two years were 35% more likely to suffer a hip fracture. The risk was even higher for women who smoked.

Nexium and Low Magnesium Levels

In March 2011, the FDA issued a drug safety alert suggesting that Nexium and other PPIs may cause low serum magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia) if taken for a prolonged period of time — usually longer than one year, although there were cases of patients developing hypomagnesemia after only 3 months of usage.

Do I have a Nexium Lawsuit?

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Nexium Lawsuits