A new lawsuit has been filed on Nov. 21, 2017 concerning the long term side effects of Nexium. The plaintiff, Cynthia M., is suing AstraZeneca, makers of the popular and potent drug which is used to treat chronic acid reflux and other similar conditions.

The Nexium lawsuit was sparked by the complainant’s own experience with negative long term side effects of Nexium. It was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Division.

The Plaintiff’s Story

Cynthia M. is a 68-year old citizen and resident of the State of Virginia. She alleges that in 2010, she was prescribed Nexium by her general physician and continued to take the medication off and on through 2013 under medical advice.

Cynthia says she has developed long term side effects of Nexium because of this ongoing ingestion in the form of stage three chronic kidney disease (CKD). She alleges her kidney disease has interfered with her working life and caused economic harm, produced emotional and mental anguish, and physically injured her presently and permanently.

CKD is one among other known long term side effects of Nexium that affect the kidneys. Other such conditions include acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), renal/kidney failure, and acute kidney injury (AKI).

Hundreds of reports of these conditions related to ingestion of this powerful antacid have been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nexium was approved by the FDA in 2001 and continued to be approved in various strengths and packaging through 2008.

Despite these reports, plaintiffs like Cynthia allege AstraZeneca failed to adequately warn the public or medical community regarding potential damage to the kidneys based on chronic use.

AstraZeneca gains substantial revenues from the sales of these products. According to the narrative of this long term side effects of Nexium lawsuit, Nexium sales cleared more than $5.2 billion in 2008.

In late 2014, the FDA required that the label be changed to indicate kidney dangers based on cumulative reports of patients developing these side effects. The new labeling read, “AIN may occur at any point during PPI therapy.”

According to the complainant, this is a wholly inadequate warning concerning the potential for kidney problems. She alleges that had she known about this risk, she would have made a different treatment choice.

What is a PPI?

Protein pump inhibitors (PPIs), of which Nexium is one, work by greatly diminishing the activity of acid pumps located in the stomach. This diminishment significantly reduces hydrochloric acid within the stomach.

The Plaintiff’s Allegations and Requests of the Court

Cynthia M. is bringing the following counts against the AstraZeneca Company in this long term side effects of Nexium lawsuit: Count One—Product Liability, Defective Design; Count Two—Product Liability, Failure to Warn; Count Three—Breach of Express Warranty; and Count Four—Punitive Damages Allegations.

The complainant is asking for a trial by jury in all matters related to this case. She is seeking compensatory damages for financial and non-financial consequences of the defendant’s alleged actions and non-actions that has caused her pain and suffering, both physical, mental, and monetary.

She trusts that all awards will be determined based on presented evidence during the trial. Finally, she is hopeful for complete restitution of court fees and attorney fees related to this litigation.

This Nexium Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-11918 in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Division.