Studies have shown a negative association between Nexium and kidneys, suggesting that chronic use of PPI meds may result in Nexium kidney disease.

PPI meds such as Nexium and Prevacid are used to treat heartburn, stomach ulcers and acid reflux. An estimated 15 million American have been prescribed PPI meds with countless more using over the counter options. PPI meds work by lowering the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

In fact, many patients use PPIs for things other than heartburn. These drugs can be used to treat acid reflux, cardiovascular disorders like acute coronary syndrome, atrial fibrillation, or heart failure. In some cases, patients are prescribed the drugs for neurological problems, and trauma and respiratory ailments. However, these uses of the drugs are less common.

So, many Americans who use PPIs for a range of problems could be taking drugs that cause kidney failure. Many patients who use heartburn drugs may not be aware of what medications cause kidney failure.

PPI drugs include the following medications:

• Dexilant
• Nexium
• Nexium 24HR
• Prevacid
• Prevacid 24HR
• Prilosec
• Prilosec OTC
• Protonix

Despite the widespread use of PPI meds, two studies have shown a possible negative relationship between Nexium and Nexium kidney disease. The studies have not proven a cause and effect relationship between PPI drugs and kidney injury, but the lead author of one study believes the relationship is there.

“It is very reasonable to assume that PPIs themselves can cause chronic kidney disease,” said Dr. Pradeep Arora, a nephrologist and associate professor at the SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Science reported by WebMd. “Patients should only use PPIs for [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]-approved indications, and not to treat simple heartburn or [indigestion].”

WebMD also reports that Arora’s study analyzed data from over 24,000 patients who developed chronic kidney disease between 2001 and 2008. The study found that one out of four kidney patients had previously been treated with PPI meds. Data also showed that PPI usage doubled the risk of premature death associated with chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood properly. Diabetes and high blood pressure are common risk factors for the condition. However, the American Society of Nephrology states that the number of people with chronic kidney disease is rising, with over 20 million Americans suffering from the condition.

Science Daily notes that research into Nexium side effects suggests that Nexium slowly decreases kidney performance, making them less and less able to filter out toxins and waste. Allegedly, as kidney function decreases, the levels of metabolic waste that normally would be excreted in the urine can rise to dangerous levels. 

The National Kidney Foundation notes that if a patient’s kidneys cannot properly filter out waste, a patient may have to go on dialysis. In extreme cases, kidney failure is fatal. 

With a rising number of individuals suffering from the condition, researchers such as Dr. Benjamin Lazarus are looking for a cure.

Lazarus, from Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in Australia, and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore partnered up to study chronic kidney disease and its potential causes. The study analyzed more than 10,000 adult patients with normal kidney function between 1996 and 2011.

Researchers found that users of PPI drugs were 50% more likely to develop chronic kidney disease when compared to non-PPI users. Data from Lazarus’ study suggests that other stomach acid drugs called H-2 blockers did not show a similar connection.

Researchers hypothesize that side effects from PPI meds may contribute to kidney problems. Short term use of PPIs has been linked to acute interstitial nephritis and low magnesium levels, both of which can cause kidney damage.

Despite the large amount of data pointing towards kidney problems, some medical professionals argue that the studies did not properly correct for risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and NSAID use. However, Arora still suggests caution when using PPI meds, as the link between Nexium and kidneys is not fully understood.

“According to U.S. data, 90 percent of the prescriptions for PPI are not related to FDA-approved indications,” he said. “We are using this medication right and left, and it may be counterproductive for many patients.”

Some patients have filed PPI lawsuits against the drugs’ makers, claiming that these drugs have injured them. Some patients claim that the drug makers concealed information about the drug risks from patients and the medical community in order to maximize their drug sales.

Some patients may have not had all of the information that they needed to make informed decisions about whether or not to take the drug.