A growing number of patients have been alleging serious Nexium kidney problems. One of the most recent Nexium lawsuits was filed by a claimant from South Carolina, alleging the proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) caused severe and permanent kidney damage.

Plaintiff Frances S. says she used PPIs Dexilant and Nexium for typical treatment purposes from 2007 to 2017.

According to the Nexium lawsuit, Frances is currently contending with chronic kidney disease that was allegedly caused by PPI medications. Frances opted to file legal action after discovering the PPI manufacturers either knew or should have known about the alleged association.

Proton pump inhibitors are popular treatment medications for indigestion, stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and heartburn, making their wide range of uses very popular for patients suffering from a variety of digestive problems.

Proton pump inhibitors work by limiting the amount of digestive fluids that are secreted in the stomach, which reduces the severity of symptoms. These medications are among the most popular drug families in the United States at over 15 million users, with the total number estimated to be much higher due to the availability of over the counter variants.

However, PPIs have recently become associated with serious kidney injuries after the publication of two recent studies.

Overview of PPI Kidney Problems

One of the primary studies indicating this alleged correlation was published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, which reportedly found that a large number of patients taking Prilosec and Nexium were developing serious kidney injuries.

According to the study, PPI patients faced a 96 percent increased risk of kidney failure and a 28 percent greater likelihood of chronic kidney disease. These patients were compared to patients who were prescribed another popular heartburn medication family called histamine H2 receptor blockers.

Another significant study often mentioned was published in the February 2016 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which reportedly found an increased risk of chronic kidney disease in conjunction with PPI use. This study was reportedly conducted after other inquiries showed that proton pump inhibitors could cause acute interstitial nephritis, which is a condition known to evolve into kidney failure.

It is important to note that authorities of this research stated that Nexium and other PPIs are overprescribed, and should only be taken for short time periods when necessary. These drugs have also been connected to cancer. The FDA recently approved a label change for Nexium in 2014 to include acute interstitial nephritis as a potential side effect.

Even though Nexium kidney problems can be devastating to patients, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Pharmaceuticals allegedly failed to disclose this information to the public. At all times relevant, Frances says she relied on the marketing materials and product information provided by the drug companies.

Frances’ Nexium lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2789, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. Frances is seeking a multitude of damages in his lawsuit, including counts of negligence and failure to warn.

Her Nexium Lawsuit is Case No. 2:19-cv-07932-CCC-MF, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, Newark Division.