A woman has filed a PPI lawsuit against the manufacturers of Nexium and Nexium- branded products.

Plaintiff Carol H. alleges the makers of Nexium, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP and AstraZeneca LP, negligently represented information to her and to the medical community that the drug had been tested and was found to be safe for its indicated use. Reports, however, suggest some patients have suffered acute kidney failure from Nexium.

She asserts that the manufacturers should have known of the risks involved in taking the prescribed medication and that the manufacturers concealed their knowledge of the drug’s defects and adverse effects including that of developing acute kidney failure from Nexium.

According to the Nexium lawsuit, the “defendants concealed their knowledge of Nexium’s risks and defects and failed to notify plaintiff, the FDA, the public and the medical community including plaintiff’s prescribing physicians.”

Nexium is a PPI, or proton pump inhibitor, that that works by preventing stomach acid secretion. PPIs are some of the most widespread and commonplace drugs in the United States. More than 15 million people use prescription PPIs, and even more use over-the-counter versions.

The indicated use for PPI’s include acid reflux, peptic or stomach ulcers, dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

However, as one of the largest selling drugs in the international market, it has received hundreds of reports of acute kidney failure from Nexium and other injuries that have been reported to the FDA.

Moreover, Carol alleges the manufacturers of Nexium were aware of the possibility of acute kidney failure from Nexium and other reports of serious adverse effects of ingesting the medication.

However, Carol says the “defendants took no action to inform plaintiff or plaintiff’s physicians of these risks.” Instead, “defendants continued to represent that Nexium did not pose any risk of kidney injuries,” the complaint states.

According to the Nexium lawsuit, the defendants were aware of acute kidney failure from Nexium and were also particularly aware of other several types of kidney injuries such as renal failure and chronic kidney disease.

Carol states that had she had known of the risks involved in developing acute kidney failure from Nexium she would have never taken the medication.

As a result of using Nexium, she alleges that she “sustained severe and permanent personal injuries, pain, suffering, economic loss, and emotional distress.”

Other adverse effects associated with PPIs include acute interstitial nephritis, or AIN adverse effects. AIN is the inflammation of the tubes and tissues of the kidneys. It can cause weakness, nausea, and fatigue.

Moreover, studies have shown the correlation between the those who have suffered from AIN and those taking Nexium.

Chronic kidney disease, or the gradual loss of kidney function, is another adverse effect associated with PPIs. Recent studies have shown a correlation between the long-term use of PPIs and the 20%-50% higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

The Nexium Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-03056-CCC-MF, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Division.