Nexium Kidney Injury Lawsuit Claim Information
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Did You Suffer Kidney Damage, Renal Failure, or Other Serious Injury After Taking a PPI Like Nexium and Prilosec?
Do you suffer from chronic heartburn, GERD, or acid indigestion? Do you have an ulcer that requires prescription medication to treat? If so, you might be one of the millions of Americans who take medications like Nexium and Prilosec. However, these medications, like all medications, have the potential for side effects. Research has indicated that some patients have suffered deadly and serious side effects from medications like Nexium and Prilosec.
Individuals are filing lawsuits against the maker of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) like AstraZeneca. They are claiming that the medications have caused kidney failure, renal failure, severe kidney damage, acute interstitial nephritis, and other serious conditions. Even though hundreds of lawsuits have been filed across the United States against AstraZeneca alleging it knew of the dangerous side effects but downplayed the risks to physicians and the public, these drugs continue to be marketed and sold as safe for use.
What are Proton Pump Inhibitors?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved proton pump inhibitors (PPI) like Nexium to treat GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), duodenal ulcer disease, and erosive esophagitis. Nexium (esomeprazole) is a derivative of Prilosec (omeprazole), another popular PPI on the market. Also known as the “purple pill” because of advertising campaigns, Nexium treats these conditions by lessening the stomach’s acid production. If you suffer from GERD, this treatment can prevent stomach acids from entering and burning the esophagus. By preventing the acid from entering the esophagus, it also promotes healing from previous GERD episodes. When combined with clarithromycin and amoxicillin, Nexium can eliminate H. pylori for individuals who suffer from duodenal ulcers.
When these medications were first approved, they were only available by prescription. However, people can now purchase them over-the-counter without a doctor’s input, diagnosis, or advice. An estimated 15 million people use medications like these to treat GERD and heartburn. It is unknown how many purchase the OTC versions of these medications. Some experts estimate that the sale of Nexium generates over $5 billion annually.
Given this information, it is difficult to understand why doctors continue to prescribe the drugs. Research estimates that up to 70 percent of PPI prescriptions are “without indication.” In addition, up to 25 percent of patients who have been using these drugs on a long-term basis could cease taking the medication without fear of their symptoms returning.
What Side Effects are Reported from Taking PPIs
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Prilosec and Nexium have been associated with severe complications and side effects. PPIs have also been linked to potentially life-threatening conditions. Some of the severe side effects and conditions linked to PPIs include:
- Death related to renal failure
- Kidney failure
- Acute interstitial nephritis
- Bone fractures
- Acute kidney damage
- Dementia
- Chronic kidney disease
- Kidney transplant
- Increased risk of infection
When taking PPIs, the body can have more difficulty absorbing certain minerals, like calcium, magnesium, and B-12. This issue can cause bones to become weak or fragile, thereby increasing the risk for fractures of the spine, hip, leg, and wrist.
Research is continuing, and scientists are studying the link between PPIs and the above conditions. However, research has shown that a person taking PPIs has an increased risk of developing severe and potentially fatal health conditions, including renal failure and chronic kidney disease.
Our lawyers are fighting for the right of individuals to receive fair compensation for injuries sustained after taking PPI medications like Prilosec and Nexium. We are currently accepting new cases against AstraZeneca, the drug manufacturer of Prilosec and Nexium. If you have been injured or your loved one has been injured after taking PPI medications, we want to hear from you. Our lawyers are investigating claims involving the link between chronic kidney disease, renal failure, kidney damage, or acute interstitial nephritis and Nexium or Prilosec. If you have suffered these injuries, you might be entitled to compensation from the drug manufacturer. Contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation.
Proton Pump Inhibitors Linked to Bone Fractures
Shortly after Nexium was approved for sale in the United States in 2001, individuals began to lodge complaints against the drug maker alleging bone fractures. Common fractures cited in the complaints included fractures of the feet, wrists, ankles, and spine.
Finally, in 2010, the FDA required that the drug manufacturer make a change to the warnings on their label. The FDA required a warning to be placed on the label stating that there was an increased risk of bone fractures with the use of this medication. Unfortunately, by the time the FDA acted, many consumers had already suffered fractures after taking the medication.
Studies Link PPIs like Nexium to Severe Kidney Damage and Other Health Conditions
The evidence that links Nexium and other PPIs to potentially life-threatening disorders continues to grow as researchers conduct ongoing research to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PPIs like Nexium. Our team of legal professionals and investigators are watching this research closely and following the scientific studies so that we are informed, and we can keep you informed of the dangerous and potentially deadly side effects that are linked to these types of medications.
Pregnant Women Face Dangers When Taking PPIs
A study published on OBGYNNews.com in December 2010, found that women who used PPIs during the first trimester of pregnancy had twice the chance of having a child with cardiac defects compared to women who did not take PPIs.
PPIs Linked to Acute Interstitial Nephritis
Researchers discovered the link between the development of acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) and the use of PPIs as early as 2006. It was not long after that discovery when the belief that the most common cause of drug-induced AIN was the use of PPIs began to take shape. AIN is a serious disorder that can lead to sudden kidney failure. The disorder causes inflammation in the spaces between the kidney tubules. Scientists identified PPIs as an “important contributing cause” in the increasing number of AIN case by 2014.
PPIs and the Increased Risk of Heart Attacks
Research published in PLoS One in June 2015 linked PPI medications to Myocardial Infarction in the general public. The study discovered that people who suffered from GERD and took PPIs had a 16 percent increased risk of Myocardial Infarction and a two-fold increased risk of dying from cardiovascular issues.
PPIs Linked to Increased Risk of Renal Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease
Researchers authored a limited study in January 2016 that found an 11.8 percent increased risk for chronic kidney disease in individuals who use PPIs like Prilosec and Nexium. In a replication group, study participants had a slightly higher chance (15.6 percent) of developing chronic kidney disease when using PPIs.
In April of the same year, a study analyzed the Department of Veterans Affairs databases. The researchers found a 28 percent increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease and a 96 percent increased chance of suffering from kidney failure in those who developed chronic kidney disease. The risk increased with the amount of time the person used PPIs.
PPIs and Increased Risk of Death for Hospital Patients
Hospital patients who were taking a PPI or who had previously taken PPIs had a greater chance of dying according to one study. The research, published in November 2015, said that this increase was due to hospital patients being more susceptible to C. difficile infections and pneumonia because of the decreased stomach acids.
PPIs and Increased Risk of Dementia
JAMA published findings in April 2016 after analyzing data from nearly 74,000 participants. The purpose of the study was to determine if PPIs could impact cognitive decline. Researchers found that PPI use had a significant impact on increasing the chance of developing dementia in elderly persons. Those seniors who used PPIs had a 44 percent greater chance of developing dementia compared to seniors who did not use PPIs.
Do Not Let Dangerous Drugs Take Your Life
You should discuss all drugs that you take with your physician, even OTC drugs. From the above, you can see that proton pump inhibitors are allegedly dangerous. You need to be aware of the risks and precautions associated with a medication before taking that medication. However, even with proper consultation, you can develop a serious medical condition after taking certain drugs. If so, you need to consult with our attorneys regarding a potential compensation claim against the drug manufacturer.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) allegedly have dangerous and potentially fatal side effects. The benefits of PPIs may not outweigh the potential for injury and death. You need to discuss these medications with your physician, even the OTC versions, before taking any PPIs.
Our law firm continues to investigate claims of injury from taking Prilosec and Nexium. We also continue to monitor lawsuits being filed alleging that the PPI drug makers continue to market these drugs as safe, effective treatments for GERD, ulcers, and heartburn when people are suffering severe harm from using these medications. These lawsuits allege permanent and devastating injuries occurred because of the use of proton pump inhibitors like Nexium and Prilosec. Plaintiffs claim the drug manufacturers knew of the risk and knew the drugs could be dangerous but failed to warn consumers and failed to ensure the drugs were safe before selling the drugs to consumers.
If you believe you may have a claim against AstraZeneca because you suffered kidney damage, acute interstitial nephritis, or renal failure after using Nexium or Prilosec, contact our law firm for a free case review. We are aggressively pursuing these claims on behalf of consumers who have been injured and we stand ready to fight for you.