AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Lp. is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of product liability claims alleging a correlation between Nexium and kidney disease. One of the most recent claims was filed by a man from Georgia, alleging the companies failed to warn him that Nexium and kidney disease were associated.

Plaintiff Paul F. states that the alleged correlation between Nexium and kidney disease was not mentioned on the drug’s warning label at the time it was prescribed to him and did not make this discovery until recently.

According to the claim, Paul was prescribed Nexium for typical treatment purposes on Nov. 5 2014 and stayed on the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) until Dec. 18, 2015. Paul reportedly developed kidney failure at some point during or after his Nexium prescription.

During all times relevant, Paul alleges he had used Nexium for its intended purpose and did not deviate from prescription instructions but had still developed adverse effects. Not long after his diagnosis, Paul had discovered that Nexium and kidney disease had an alleged association and filed legal action against AstraZeneca for failing to warn him.

Overview of Nexium and Kidney Disease Correlation

Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors are used to treat acid reflux, stomach ulcers, heartburn, and other similar conditions, by reducing stomach acids. PPIs limit the amount of digestive acids emitted in the abdominal cavity, which helps prevent nausea and heartburn.

Proton pump inhibitors are one of the most widely used medications in the United States, with health officials counting over 15 million from prescription variants alone. Considering that these medications are also sold over the counter, the total number of users is likely much higher.

With the widespread use of PPIs, their alleged correlation with kidney problems is very concerning. PPIs became widely associated with kidney complications after a recent study was published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, which found that PPI patients faced a significantly increased risk of kidney problems.

According to the study, PPI patients had a 96 percent increased risk of kidney failure and a 28 percent increased risk of chronic kidney disease when compared with patients who were prescribed histamine H2 receptor blockers.

Another study to analyze the alleged correlation was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which was published in February 2016. This study also showed a link between PPIs and chronic kidney disease, with researchers conducting the study after previous inquiries had shown these medications may cause interstitial nephritis.

This condition is known to lead to kidney failure, with the FDA requiring that the condition be added to Nexium’s warning label in late 2014. Even though these complications can be devastating to patients, AstraZeneca allegedly failed to disclose this information to the general public.

Paul states he would not have taken the medication if he had known that Nexium and kidney disease had a correlation.

Paul’s Nexium lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2789, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. Paul is seeking multiple damages in his Nexium lawsuit, including negligence and failure to warn.

This Nexium and Kidney Disease Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-11776, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.