Nexium kidney damage reportedly led to end stage renal disease, prompting a couple to file a lawsuit against drug manufacturers.

Plaintiffs Susan S. and Donald R. filed their lawsuit as part of an ongoing multidistrict litigation seeking compensation for injuries caused by Nexium and other proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs. Susan allegedly took Dexilant and Nexium, then later developed acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. She says her condition has progressed to end stage renal disease necessitating dialysis.

The couple names numerous drug manufacturers in their Nexium kidney damage lawsuit, including Abbott Laboratories, AstraZenca, Merck & Co., Pfizer, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

PPI drugs are available through prescription or over the counter to treat acid reflux, gastric ulcers, and more. A shocking number of individuals take PPI drugs, with approximately 21 million Americans using the drugs as of 2009.

However, as early as 1992, there have been reports that use of PPI drugs may be associated with kidney damage and resulting kidney disease. Since then, further studies have confirmed that the use of a PPI may lead to acute interstitial nephritis, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and eventually end stage renal disease.

These conditions can be dangerous, especially when allowed to progress. Chronic kidney disease is a progressive decline in kidney function, which can lead to a buildup of waste in the body. This can cause its own issues such as nerve damage, heart disease, kidney failure, and death. Eventually, chronic kidney disease can progress to end stage renal disease which is fatal without dialysis or a kidney transplant.

The Nexium kidney damage lawsuit argues that PPI drugs are often overprescribed, leading to long term use and the creation of dependency.

“Due to rebound hypersecretion, patients are unable, in many instances, to cease use of PPI Products, despite choosing and wanting to do so after learning of the risks of using PPI Products, including kidney injuries,” the Nexium kidney damage lawsuit states.

Additionally, plaintiffs say there are a variety of safe alternatives to PPI drugs which do not increase the risk of kidney damage and disease.

However, they also claim the risks associated with PPI drugs such as Nexium are allegedly concealed by drug manufacturers due to the massive profits generated by these medications. This concealment allegedly prioritizes profits over the health of millions of consumers.

“Defendants’ marketing campaigns willfully and intentionally misrepresented the risks of PPI Products and failed to warn about the risks of acute interstitial nephritis, acute kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, and other kidney injuries,” the Nexium kidney damage lawsuit argues.

The Nexium kidney damage lawsuit includes claims of strict product liability, design defect, failure to warn, negligence, breach of warranties, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, loss of consortium, and violation of Georgia state consumer protection laws. The couple seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

The Nexium Kidney Damage Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-15020, and is part of the PPI MDL, In re: Proton Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation (No. II), Case No. 2:17-md-02789-CCC-MF, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.