Patients taking PPI drugs like Nexium in order to treat their heartburn symptoms may be at risk of developing some serious complications, including Nexium stomach cancer.

If you or a loved one have suffered from stomach cancer after taking a PPI drug like Nexium, you may be able to file a Nexium stomach cancer lawsuit and pursue compensation.

Nexium Basics

Nexium belongs to a group of medications known as proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, which are used to treat problems like acid reflux, ulcers, and GERD. Major PPI drugs include Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, and Zegerid.

PPI drugs are some of the most commonly prescribed medications on the market. Indeed, somewhere around 15 million Americans have prescriptions for PPI medications. Some PPIs are available over the counter, however, so the prescription count alone does not reflect the full spectrum of those using this drug.

Nexium Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer is a serious risk. In fact, it’s the third most major cause of cancer fatalities. Unfortunately, it’s also an extremely common risk—it’s the fifth most common cancer overall.

There are a number of possible causes of stomach cancer, including the stomach bacteria known as Heliobacter pylori, which increases a person’s risk of both stomach cancer and ulcers. However, even once the bacterium has been eliminated, patients have still faced an increased risk. A recent study has found that this may be attributed to the use of PPI drugs like Nexium instead of another treatment.

Indeed, the study found that PPI medications like Nexium can double a patient’s risk of stomach cancer compared to those who took H2-receptor antagonists, another common treatment. On top of this cancer risk, PPI drugs have also been connected to an increased risk of developing serious kidney problems.

The study, published in October 2017, found that patients taking PPI drugs like Nexium and Prilosec face almost a doubled increased risk of stomach cancer. The study further found that the risk of stomach cancer was higher for those who were exposed to the drug for longer periods of time or at higher doses.

On top of the serious stomach cancer risk, PPI drugs like Nexium have also been linked with an increased risk of kidney problems. One study found that use of PPI drugs led to a 96 percent higher risk of kidney failure. Another study showed that patients also faced a 28 percent increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

Filing a Nexium Stomach Cancer Lawsuit

More and more patients taking PPI drugs like Nexium are coming forward with complaints of Nexium stomach cancer and other serious complications. Lawsuits allege that these complications were caused by the drug manufacturer’s failure to adequately warn the public and the medical community about these dangers.

If you or a loved one have developed Nexium stomach cancer or other serious side effects after using a PPI drug, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by Nexium stomach cancer, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.