Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid
Nexium, Prilosec, & Prevacid Lawsuit Information
Nexium belongs to a group of drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). Nexium and other PPIs work differently than most antacid medications to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), by reducing the amount of acid in a person’s stomach. It also may be prescribed to heal acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus, to reduce stomach ulcers, and to treat stomach infections.
AstraZeneca, is the manufacturer of both Nexium and its “parent” drug, Prilosec. The PPI market now includes nine medications and several over-the-counter versions such as Nexium 24HR. Approximately 15 million Americans use Proton Pump Inhibitors, such as Prilosec and Nexium. From 2004 to 2009, Nexium was the second most popular prescription in the U.S. and in its peak year 2010, it was the top selling prescription product with $5.3 billion in U.S. sales
Nexium, Prilosec, & Prevacid Risks
In January 2016, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found a 20-50% increased risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) associated with PPIs. Those who took PPIs twice a day were 46% more likely to develop CKD, and once-daily users had a 15% higher risk.
A more recent study In April 2016 by the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology linked prolonged use of Nexium and other PPis with a 96% increased risk of kidney failure and a 26% increased risk of chronic kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease is any condition that causes reduced kidney function over a period of time. It defines acute kidney disease as sudden, temporary loss of kidney function that is sometimes fatal.
People who take multiple daily doses of Nexium for a long period of time (a year or longer), especially those 50 years of age or older, have an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine. In addition, the use of Nexium has also been shown to increase the risk of heart attack, dementia, and hypomagnesemia or low magnesium levels. Additionally, PPIs are suspected of causing birth defects and acquired infections.
Nexium, Prilosec, & Prevacid Lawsuits
When a patient has suffered medical injury due to the actions of a medication, he or she may be eligible for compensation. In the past, manufacturers have been held responsible for the costs of medical treatments, lost wages and pain and suffering. In the case of a kidney disease Nexium Lawsuit, this could cover costs for kidney transplants, dialysis, machine-facilitated hemodialysis, and skin grafts.
The first case filed in federal court for causing kidney disease was filed against Astra Zeneva in May 2016, by a Nexium patient who developed chronic kidney disease and received a kidney transplant. The Prevacid lawsuit alleges the pharmaceutical company received complaints about Nexium’s link to kidney injury as early as 2004, yet continued to market the drug aggressively without adjusting its warning label.
Nexium and other PPI medications have been the subject of investigations relating to harm since 2006. Many patients have filed Nexium lawsuits including hundreds of bone fracture victims in Massachusetts and multiple heart attack victims. Nexium’s manufacturer, AstraZeneca reached a $20 million class action settlement after the plaintiffs claimed that AstraZeneca used deceptive marketing practices to promote the medication.
As of this time, there has not been a recall of Nexium or Prilosec related to kidney damage. However, the filing of the first Prilosec lawsuits, and the ongoing investigations are a good sign. It often takes many years before all the facts come out that will lead to a recall, but it may be on the horizon.
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Patients or family members of victims who have suffered serious side effects after taking Nexium, Prilosec, or Prevacid may be eligible for compensation and should have their case evaluated by one of our attorneys. If you believe you have developed a kidney disease after a taking Nexium, Prilosec, or Prevacid, please contact us. You may be eligible to pursue compensation for your injuries.
