Nexium and other newer heartburn medications like Prilosec have been associated with many problems including stomach cancer. A recent study has even found a doubled risk of the development of stomach cancer in users of PPI meds like Nexium and Prilosec.

If patients who have been diagnosed with stomach cancer suspect a link between Nexium use and their condition, they may be eligible to file a Nexium lawsuit.

Many patients find that filing a Prilosec or Nexium lawsuit helps to alleviate the financial burdens of medical costs and lost wages.

Nexium and Stomach Cancer

Science Daily reports, “The long term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a class of drugs commonly used to treat acid reflux, is linked to a more than doubling in the risk of developing stomach cancer, finds research published online in the journal Gut.”

PPI meds like Nexium and Prilosec are proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump inhibitors work by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. When this happens, the mucous lining of the stomach can be restored and things like acid reflux and ulcers can be reduced. PPI meds block or inhibit the chemical system that makes stomach acid.

This recent study found that the use of PPI meds like Nexium can double the risk for patients to develop stomach cancer. Published in 2017, the study also found that the longer a person takes PPI meds like Nexium and Prilosec, the more at risk the patient is for stomach cancer.

In fact, the study noted that, “more frequent use was associated with greater risk, with daily use linked to a more than quadrupling in risk compared with weekly use.”

This study found that the risk of developing stomach cancer rose by two to eight times. This depended upon how long the PPI meds were taken.

A certain bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, is often responsible for stomach ulcers. This study primarily focused on those who were infected with Helicobacter pylori. It is thought that a large part of the human population is actually infected with this bacteria and that getting rid of it can reduce the risk of stomach cancer.

However, when this bacteria is eradicated in a patient and a patient takes PPI meds, the risk of stomach cancer increases instead of decreases. In fact, in these cases, the study found a 44% increased risk of developing stomach cancer.

Filing a Prilosec or Nexium Lawsuit

Stomach cancer is not the only problem associated with taking PPI meds like Nexium. Kidney disease, kidney failure and other kidney problems have been connected with the use of PPI meds.

Some research suggests that PPI meds increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease by 28% and a significantly increased risk of developing kidney failure.

If you have taken Nexium or Prilosec and have developed kidney problems or stomach cancer, you may be able to file a Nexium lawsuit. Filing a Nexium lawsuit may not be the right path for everyone, but speaking with an experienced attorney can help you understand your options.