A New Jersey woman has filed suit against AstraZeneca, claiming that she experienced kidney failure among other Nexium side effects.

Plaintiff Lakeisha S. says that in 2014 she took Nexium as prescribed by her doctor.

She claims that while taking the medication, and despite taking it as prescribed, she suffered kidney failure.

Information About Nexium Side Effects Allegedly Withheld

Part of the lawsuit contends that Nexium’s manufacturer AstraZeneca purposefully withheld information about the known risks associated with taking Nexium.

Nexium is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a relatively new class of medications that stop stomach acid from being released into the stomach. This is how symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn and GERD are controlled by PPIs.

Since Nexium’s release, the FDA has received several reports of different Nexium side effects:

• Acute Interstitial Nephritis (AIN) is the inflammation of the tubes and tissues of the kidneys, producing fatigue, nausea and weakness that can begin as early as one week following Nexium ingestion. Recent studies indicate those taking Nexium and other PPIs are three times more apt to experience AIN than the general population.
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the gradual loss of kidney function. With advanced stage disease, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and waste can build up in the system. Research has shown a 20 to 50 percent higher risk of CKD in people who take PPIs for a long term. In at least one study, a ten percent increased risk of CKD was shown in people who take PPIs for any period of time.
• Renal/Kidney Failure is kidney damage that may result in the need for dialysis and ultimately, a kidney transplant.
• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a sudden episode of kidney damage that happens within a few hours or days.
• Clostridium difficile is commonly known as C. diff, a bacterial infection that can cause uncontrollable diarrhea and lead to life-threatening inflammation of the colon.

The lawsuit contends that AstraZeneca failed to warn doctors of the increased risks of the above injuries.

Lakeisha also states that she would have chosen a different course of treatment had she been given all the facts on the risks of Nexium side effects.

AstraZeneca is accused of knowing or that it should have known about the link between Nexium use and the elevated risk of kidney problems.

The company stands accused of “omitting, concealing, and inadequately providing critical safety information regarding the use of Nexium to Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s doctors in order to induce its purchase, prescription and use.”

Recent Study Shows Nexium Side Effects May Include Cell Damage

The American Heart Association published a study in the online edition of its May 2016 Circulation Research journal.

Researchers from the Houston Methodist Research Institute’s Cardiovascular Sciences department looked at the actions of Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid, Dexilant and other PPIs.

Researchers cultured human cells and added esomeprazole, the active ingredient in Nexium.

They reported finding impairment of the function of endothelial cells, the type of cells that make up the inner lining of blood vessels. The impairment affected the lining of the blood cells and caused premature aging of the cells.

The Nexium Side Effects Lawsuit is Case No. 2:16-cv-05523 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.