A woman from Arkansas alleges AstraZeneca failed to warn her about the adverse relationship between Nexium and kidneys, which caused her to develop permanent health problems.

The alleged relationship between Nexium and chronic kidney disease has been described numerous times in similar Nexium lawsuits, which have been combined in multidistrict litigation (MDL).

Plaintiff Audrey O. alleges she suffered permanent damage from Nexium, and opted to file legal action after discovering other patients had developed similar problems.

According to the Nexium lawsuit, Audrey had used the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication for typical treatment purposes and used it according the drug’s warning label from 2001 to 2002 and from 2009 to 2014.

These treatment periods allegedly caused Audrey to develop chronic kidney disease, and she says she has since had to undergo dialysis. Audrey reports she is currently contending with her medical condition, and will most likely continue to incur bills for her treatments.

Audrey recently opted to file legal action after hearing about the correlation between Nexium and kidneys.

Nexium Kidney Problems

Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors work by limiting the amount digestive acids produced in the stomach lining, which helps reduce the symptoms of heartburn, stomach ulcers, and acid reflux.

Proton pump inhibitors are some of the most widely used drugs in the United States, with over 15 million users with the prescription variants. However, the number is likely much higher due to the availability of over the counter variations.

Even though numerous patients use these medications without developing side effects, several significant studies have suggested a correlation between Nexium and chronic kidney disease. One of these studies was published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, reporting a link between Nexium and kidneys.

The study consisted of patients who were either prescribed proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor blockers, with researchers comparing the rate of kidney problems. According to the study, PPI patients faced a 96 percent increased greater risk of kidney failure and 28 percent increased risk chronic kidney disease compared to H2 receptor blockers.

Another study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in February 2016, and also showed that proton pump inhibitors increased the risk of chronic kidney disease. The study also found that PPI medications could lead to acute interstitial nephritis–a condition that evolves into kidney failure.

The FDA also warned patients against the adverse relationship between Nexium and kidneys, with the agency ordering a label change for the PPI to include interstitial nephritis as a potential side effect. Even though the correlation between Nexium and chronic kidney disease is potentially fatal, plaintiffs claim AstraZeneca allegedly failed to warn patients.

Audrey states that she would not have taken the medication if she had known about the alleged link between Nexium and chronic kidney disease. Her Nexium lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2789, where it will join other claims alleging similar injuries from Nexium and kidneys.

Audrey is seeking multiple damages in her Nexium lawsuit, including counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This Nexium Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-14730, in the United States District Court of New Jersey, Newark Division.