Risk of Kidney Probems from Nexium Hidden by AstraZeneca, Lawsuit Alleges
According to allegations raised in a recently filed product liability lawsuit, AstraZeneca has actively concealed information from the public about the risk of kidney damage from Nexium, failing to disclose important safety information associated with their blockbuster heartburn drug.
The complaint (PDF) was filed by Carolyn Winters in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi on November 16, indicating that she suffered a number of kidney injuries after using Nexium and Nexium OTC from 2009 through 2012.
Nexium belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which also includes the popular brands Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Dexilant, AcipHex and others. The drugs are used by millions of Americans, and are widely assumed to carry few serious side effects. However, independent studies published in recent years have highlighted a number of serious side effects of Nexium and other PPI medications, including a risk of acute interstitial nephritis, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.
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Learn MoreWinters indicates that AstraZeneca knew or should have known about the risk of kidney problems from Nexium for years, yet continued to market the drug without adequate warnings for users or the medical community.
“Defendants, through their affirmative misrepresentations and omissions, actively concealed from Plaintiff and her physicians the true and significant risks associated with PPI use,” the lawsuit states. “Defendants concealed and continue to conceal their knowledge that PPIs can cause kidney injuries from Plaintiff, other consumers, and the medical community.”
The first warnings about the link between Nexium and kidney problems were not added to the drug label until December 2014, indicating that users may experience acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), which involves inflammation of the kidneys. However, Winters’ lawsuit points out that AstraZeneca knew or should have known as early as 1992 about reports of biopsy proven AIN after use of their older PPI medication, Prilosec. In addition, the lawsuit claims the warnings did not go far enough to alert consumers and doctors to the risks.
In April 2015, a study published in the medical journal CMAJ Open found that Nexium and other PPI medications may cause a three times higher risk of AIN, and a 2.5 times higher risk of acute kidney injury, which involves abrupt loss of kidney function.
Earlier this year, a study published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine also found an increased risk of chronic kidney disease with the heartburn medications, indicating that users of Nexium, Prilosec and other PPI may be 50% more likely when compared to non-users.
Winters’ lawsuit joins a growing number of Nexium lawsuits, Prilosec lawsuits,Prevacid lawsuits, Protonix lawsuits, Dexilant lawsuits and other claims brought against the makers of proton pump inhibitors, alleging that the drug makers placed their desire for profits before consumers safety.
Given the large number of users throughout the United States, it is expected that thousands of cases may be filed in the coming months as heartburn drug injury lawyers continue to review and file cases.
8 Comments
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NaomiDecember 5, 2016 at 8:10 pm
I have Interstitial Cystitis which was prescribed protonix and then nexium, in turn I developed severe kidney pain, stones, reflux and nephritis.
BillDecember 5, 2016 at 5:57 pm
Was on Nexium and developed Barrets Esophagus
DonnaDecember 5, 2016 at 1:48 am
I've been taking PPI's for 8 years now. However still got ulcers. On x-rays & CT's to stomach doctors found out last year that I have a tumor and a cyst on my right kidney. I took Nexium, Protonix, Omiprazole, Acifex, etc.and am still on them.
BillyDecember 1, 2016 at 1:50 am
Multiple symptoms; diagnosed with gird scared of esophageal cancer. From continued omerprozle and Nexium, recommendations.
DonNovember 29, 2016 at 4:16 am
I am oftem very ill with pernicious anemia directly caused by 26 years of daily Omeprozle. If I miss the B12 shots I will die.
JorgeNovember 26, 2016 at 3:51 pm
I been taking nexium for the last 13 years and I have done a byopsy and diagnosed cancer in my intestines Doctor never explain the reason of the cancer but weeks latter he call and said the cancer wasn't there but I still have the same problem with the reflux, Heartburns and Dr. prescribed the same nexium but increase the dosage. I'm feeling so confused I have more medical problems that I have bef[Show More]I been taking nexium for the last 13 years and I have done a byopsy and diagnosed cancer in my intestines Doctor never explain the reason of the cancer but weeks latter he call and said the cancer wasn't there but I still have the same problem with the reflux, Heartburns and Dr. prescribed the same nexium but increase the dosage. I'm feeling so confused I have more medical problems that I have before. I don't know what to do anymore I'm so afraid to go and see the Dr.
AlanNovember 24, 2016 at 5:09 pm
I was on omeprazole for years. Cut back to 14 day increments and recently stopped all together. Felt it was making me worse.
NancyNovember 23, 2016 at 2:12 pm
I was In omeprazole (the generic fir these medications) for over two years. My liver enzymes went up, I stopped being able to retain vitamin d and my fingernails peeled down to one layer. I'm back to chewing tums but those scary symptoms have gone away.