Millions of people depend on stomach medications like Nexium to be able to go through their days without suffering the burn and pain of reflux, GERD, and heartburn.

Yet, this medication may cause Nexium kidney failure side effect complications.

What is Nexium?

Nexium (Esomeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) manufactured by AstraZeneca, which is used to treat gastric hyperacidity.

By reducing the production of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid), Nexium and its closely associated drugs can treat heartburns as well as other serious conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES), and peptic ulcers.

It is estimated that as many as 15 to 20 million people in the U.S. take a PPI such as Nexium every day. These drugs work by “inhibiting” or stopping the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Unfortunately, recent studies have associated the PPI drug with a significantly increased risk of Nexium kidney failure side effect complications.

Studies Suggests PPI Kidney Failure Risk

According to researchers in the Jan. 2016 edition of JAMA Internal Medicine, more than 15 million people use prescription PPIs, yet researchers have warned that up to 70 percent of these patients could be treated with a different medication, and up to 25 percent of those patients who have been using PPIs for a long time, could stop using the medication without redeveloping the same problems.

The study authors also warn that patients who use PPIs are 20 percent to 50 percent more likely to develop kidney failure side effects than non-users.

Of those who do use these drugs, individuals who take two doses per day had a 46 percent increase in the risk of developing kidney disease while those who took one dose each day were 15 percent more likely to develop kidney disease.

Additionally, an April 2015 published in in the medical journal CMAJ Open found in addition to acute interstitial nephritis, a kidney disorder in which the space between kidney tubules become inflamed, Nexium users are also facing an increased risk for acute kidney injury, which can result in the abrupt loss of kidney function.

Then, in May 2015, one more study published in the Journal of American Society of Nephrology showed an increased risk for Nexium kidney failure side effect complications as well as chronic kidney disease for long-term users of Nexium and other PPIs.

Symptoms of Kidney Failure

Symptoms of kidney disease and kidney failure include:

• Fatigue
• Loss of energy
• Fluid retention leading to swelling of feet, ankles, arms and legs
• Puffiness around the eyes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Frequent nighttime urination
• Loss of appetite
• Sleeping difficulties
• Nighttime muscle cramps
• Itchy, dry skin

Many scientists believe PPI’s cause magnesium levels to drop in patients, which often damages the kidneys.

Other researchers believe that kidney function is damaged due to repeated occurrences of acute kidney inflammation — which proton pump inhibitors are linked to.

Did You Suffer Nexium Kidney Failure Side Effect Problems?

If you or a loved one has experienced a Nexium kidney failure side effect after using the PPI medication on a regular, long-term basis, consider contacting a product liability or personal injury lawyer. They can evaluate your case for free and determine whether you may be eligible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering.