AstraZeneca is facing a new Nexium lawsuit from a New Jersey woman alleging serious kidney damage. The plaintiff claims she developed chronic kidney disease as a direct result of using the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication.

This Nexium lawsuit alleges the manufacturer knew of the risks associated with their medication but did not properly warn the claimant against them. Plaintiff Roni J. is filing this Nexium lawsuit after reportedly developing chronic kidney disease soon after being prescribed the proton pump inhibitor.

Roni says she was first prescribed Nexium in 2013, and she used it on a number of occasions through 2016. At all times relevant, Roni used Nexium only for approved treatment purposes and did not deviate from prescription instructions.

Soon after starting her Nexium prescription, Roni was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Her Nexium lawsuit states that she is currently contending with severe and permanent kidney damage. She has since discovered the alleged link between kidney damage and PPI medications.

Overview of Proton Pump Inhibitor Complications

Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors work by blocking the secretion of stomach acid, which helps treat different conditions including heart burn, ulcers, and acid reflux. Proton pump inhibitors do this by inhibiting the gastric parietal cell that secretes gastric acid, which in turns prevents the adverse effects of the overabundance of gastric acid.

Nexium has helped millions of patients across the United States but has been reportedly causing numerous patients to develop kidney problems. One of the most significant studies to observe this alleged correlation was a recent inquiry published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

This study found a staggering statistical difference between PPIs and another heart burn medication group H2 receptor blockers. According to this study, patients prescribed proton pump inhibitors had a 96% higher likelihood of developing kidney failure and a 28% greater risk of chronic kidney disease.

These patients were compared to patients prescribed with H2 receptor blockers, who showed considerably less risk of kidney problems.

Another study published in the February 2016 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which also showed a link between kidney problems and PPIs.

This study found that PPI patients had an increased risk of developing interstitial nephritis, which often leads to kidney failure. The FDA issued a label changed for Nexium in late 2014, requiring the label to mention acute interstitial nephritis as a potential side effect.

At no point during Roni’s Nexium treatment did AstraZeneca warn her against chronic kidney disease or other potential complications. Roni is filing this Nexium lawsuit against AstraZeneca, for failing to notify her or her prescribing physician of these problems. She states that she would not have used the medication if she had been aware of these risks.

Roni is seeking compensation for all relevant damages, including negligence and failure to warn.

This Nexium Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-02098-CCC-JBC in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Division.