AstraZeneca is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) from numerous patients alleging the side effects of Nexium caused them to develop chronic kidney disease and other related problems.

One of the most recent Nexium lawsuits comes from a Connecticut woman, alleging she developed chronic kidney disease as a result of unexpected side effects of Nexium.

Plaintiff Jean C. says she began taking Nexium for typical treatment purposes on Sept. 11, 2006, using the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication on numerous occasions for years.

Until June 27, 2016, Jean says she used both prescription and over the counter Nexium without knowing the drug’s alleged link to chronic kidney disease. As an alleged result of using Nexium on a regular basis, Jean was eventually diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and has since been forced to contend with the condition.

Jean opted to file this Nexium lawsuit after learning the FDA required a label change for the side effects of Nexium in late 2014 to include interstitial nephritis. This condition often leads to chronic kidney disease and other related problems.

Overview of the Side Effects of Nexium

Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often prescribed and used to treat conditions like acid reflux and stomach ulcers, with its treatment mechanism reducing the level of gastric acid produced in the stomach lining. With how common this condition is, millions of patients use these medications each year.

However, some Nexium users may not be aware that the side effects of Nexium could potentially lead to chronic kidney disease and other related complications. The link between kidney problems and proton pump inhibitors was publicized when the FDA required the 2014 label change for Nexium.

This label change was prompted by numerous injury reports, which spurred several significant studies to investigate the potential correlation between the side effects of Nexium and kidney damage. The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study in February 2016 that indicated a link between PPI medications and chronic kidney disease.

The next major study to observe this alleged link was published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, which discovered a large number of PPI patients had developed kidney problems.

The study had found PPI users faced a 96% increased risk of developing kidney failure as well as a 28% increased risk of chronic kidney disease, compared to the control group who were prescribed histamine H2 receptor blockers. Plaintiffs allege that even though AstraZeneca was aware of these studies, the company failed to notify its customers of these findings.

At all times relevant, Jean claims AstraZeneca did not disclose the full extent of the potential side effects of Nexium or that it may have induced chronic kidney disease. Jean states she would not have used the drug if she had known the side effects of Nexium potentially included chronic kidney disease.

Jean is filing her Nexium lawsuit in MDL No. 2789, which consists of claims alleging similar injuries. By joining an MDL, Jean’s Nexium lawsuit will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid issues like conflicting rulings from different judges.

Jean is filing legal action seeking multiple damages including negligence and failure to warn, along with compensation for her chronic kidney disease.

This Nexium Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-12178-CCC-MF, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, Newark Division.