AstraZeneca is facing a growing multidistrict litigation, consisting of product liability claims from patients alleging a correlation between PPI and kidney problems.

One of the most recent claims alleging PPI and kidney problems was recently filed by a woman from Arkansas, alleging AstraZeneca failed to warn her that Nexium may cause kidney damage.

Plaintiff Aretha B. reportedly developed PPI kidney damage from taking Nexium, stating that AstraZeneca either knew or should have known about the alleged correlation between PPI and kidney problems.

Like millions of other patients in the United States, Aretha was recommended Nexium to treat heartburn or other stomach acid related conditions.

Nexium and other PPI heartburn meds work by limiting the amount of gastric acid produced by the stomach, which makes them good choices to treat for heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion.

These heartburn meds can be prescribed and are also available for over the counter purchase, which makes them one of the most widely used medications in the United States.

Given how commonly used these heartburn meds are, Aretha claims she would not have any reason to believe or had any way of knowing there was a risk for potential PPI kidney damage.

According to the Nexium kidney damage lawsuit, she was prescribed Nexium in January 2013 for typical treatment purposes and had taken the heartburn medication until May 2016. Aretha allegedly developed acute kidney injury during this time and later discovered that PPI and kidney problems held a potential correlation.

Overview of PPI Kidney Complications

Nexium and similar heartburn meds have become associated with kidney complications in recent years due to the publication of several studies. One of the most prominent was published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, which discovered that patients prescribed Nexium and similar heartburn meds were more likely to develop kidney problems.

The study found that patients prescribed PPI heartburn meds had a 96 percent increased risk of developing kidney failure, along with a 28 percent increased risk of chronic kidney disease, compared to patients who were prescribed histamine H2 receptor blockers.

In addition to the studies, the FDA approved a label change for Nexium to include acute interstitial nephritis as a potential side effect in late 2014. Patients who develop this condition often develop kidney damage soon after, which furthered the concern about potential PPI kidney damage.

Even though PPI kidney damage can be devastating to patients’ health, AstraZeneca allegedly failed to warn the general public, according to plaintiffs. Aretha states she would not have agreed to take Nexium if she had been aware of the alleged correlation between PPI and kidney problems.

At all times relevant, Aretha says she and her physician were relying on the information given them by AstraZeneca. At no point in time did AstraZeneca reach out to disclose potential PPI kidney damage, nor is it mentioned on Nexium’s warning label.

Aretha’s Nexium kidney damage lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2789, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging PPI kidney damage. By joining an MDL, Aretha’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Nexium Kidney Damage Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-11329-CCC-MF, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, Newark Division.