AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals is facing legal action from a New Jersey woman who alleges she got chronic kidney disease from Nexium.

Plaintiff Bernita G. claims the manufacturer of Nexium failed to adequately warn her of this complication while taking the medication.

Bernita was prescribed Nexium on multiple occasions, from January 2011 through May 2016. During all times relevant, she took Nexium according to prescription instructions while following the advice of her physician. She was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in July 2014, a condition she attributes to Nexium.

Bernita was one of millions of Americans who opted to use Nexium to treat heart burn, indigestion, ulcers, and other ailments this medication commonly treats. She is filing this Nexium kidney damage lawsuit against AstraZeneca, claiming the company knew of the complications associated with their medications.

Her Nexium lawsuit cites several significant recent studies that indicate an increased risk of chronic kidney disease from Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Overview of Proton Pump Inhibitor Kidney Problems

Proton pump inhibitors are one of the most commonly prescribed groups of medications prescribed in the United States. They are used to treat a variety of conditions including acid reflux, stomach ulcers, and indigestion.

Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors work by limiting the amount of stomach acid produced, by binding the proton pump. By doing this, gastric acid is reduced and the many unpleasant conditions associated with it are tapered.

Even though Nexium has been one of AstraZeneca’s best selling products for years, recent findings indicate this medication could be dangerous to patients. Nexium’s treatment mechanism allegedly causes negative reactions in the kidneys including:

• Acute Interstitial Nephritis
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Kidney Failure,
• Acute Kidney Injury

One of the most significant studies published on this correlation was released in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, which found a significant risk of chronic kidney disease from Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors.

This study found a 96% greater risk of kidney failure in proton pump inhibitor patients, compared to H2 receptor blocker patients who only faced a 28% increased risk.

The FDA eventually warned against potential kidney problems with proton pump inhibitors in late 2014. The agency required an amendment to Nexium’s label to address acute interstitial nephritis as a potential side effect. This condition may lead to kidney failure, which can be potentially fatal if not treated.

Even though AstraZeneca was aware of the medication’s link with kidney problems, the company allegedly failed to warn consumers against this until the FDA issued the label update. Bernita states that she never would have taken the drug if she had known that chronic kidney disease from Nexium was a possibility.

This Nexium Kidney Damage Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-01207-CCC-MF in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Division.