Nexium and Prilosec, popular over the counter remedies for heartburn, may not be as safe as consumers and physicians have once thought.

Recent studies have shown that these proton pump inhibitor medications, also known as PPIs, may increase the risk of developing chronic kidney problems or kidney damage.

In the February 2016 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, a study was published that showed individuals taking Nexium and similar PPIs like Prilosec had an increased risk of developing chronic kidney damage.

The study followed more than 10,000 patients for more than 13 years. The longer a patient took Nexium, the more likely they were to suffer kidney damage, the study found.

Nexium and Proton Pump Inhibitors

Nexium is a second generation proton pump inhibitor, developed after Prilosec as an improvement to the original drug.

PPI medications work by blocking acid from being released in the stomach. PPIs are used to treat GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and PUP (peptic ulcer disease) and are sometimes used to treat other gastrointestinal conditions as well.

Nexium has been available over the counter for several years, like Prilosec, but before their release directly to the public, they were only available with a doctor’s prescription.

Both drugs have been amazing money-making products for AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of both medications. In 2015, Astra Zeneca had a total revenue of $24.7 billion.

Nexium alone took in $5.9 to $6.5 billion per year alone yearly between 2010 and 2014.

There is another class of heartburn medications called H2 blockers. These medications work by blocking a type of histamine in the cells that line the stomach. Zantac and Tagament are two types of popular H2 blockers.

Researchers noted that H2 blockers were not linked to kidney problems, and physicians and patients should consider these drugs as alternatives so they do not face the risk of increased kidney damage while taking PPI medicines.

Effects of Kidney Damage

Kidney damage can cause a number of effects on the body, some of which may ultimately prove to be fatal. According to research, kidney damage causes:

• Abnormal blood electrolyte levels
• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Fatigue
• Fluid retention or swelling (edema)
• Fluid collection in the lungs
• High blood pressure
• Lack of urine production
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting

These symptoms can indicate kidney damage that is not reversible. It is important to consult your physician immediately if you are experiencing these symptoms.

Prolonged kidney damage can ultimately lead to kidney failure. The kidneys are responsible for filtering out toxins from the body, so when the toxins are not properly filtered, they build up in the body.

Kidney dialysis may be necessary to treat kidney damage and help prevent total kidney failure. When the kidneys shut down completely, the condition is fatal because the body becomes toxic.

Filing a PPI Kidney Damage Lawsuit

If you have taken Nexium or Prilosec and were diagnosed with kidney damage, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit if it can be shown that Nexium or Prilosec were your kidney damage causes.

An experienced lawyer can review your case for free and can help you determine your eligibility to file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer.