A legal complaint is being brought against the manufacturers of Nexium and other types of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) acid reflux treatments alleging that patients weren’t sufficiently warned about the risk of stomach cancer, chronic kidney disease, and other serious health issues caused or contributed to by the medication.

According to Recall Report, if the plaintiff, who has allegedly developed serious kidney injuries as a result of taking PPIs, can show that the manufacturers of the PPIs knew about these risks but failed to warn consumers, they could be successful in recovering damages and could pave the way for others who have faced similar issues due to PPIs.

Studies into the effects of Nexium and other PPIs have shown a link between these drugs and the development of stomach cancer and chronic kidney disease. A study published by Scientific Reports in 2019 found that those taking PPIs were nearly 30 times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease when compared to a control group. According to UC San Diego, PPIs are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world. In fact, roughly 10 percent of all adults in the U.S. take PPIs to treat acid reflux, frequent heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What Are Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)?

According to the National Kidney Foundation, PPIs are drugs commonly used to give symptom relief to those who suffer from acid-related conditions. PPIs are used to treat a variety of conditions such as GERD, peptic ulcers, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and are intended to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.

There are many different types of PPIs, some of which are available without a prescription. Depending on the condition, PPIs may be prescribed for a few weeks or potentially years. The longer a person takes the drug, the more likely it is that they will develop chronic kidney disease.

The Risks of PPIs

The Kidney Foundation lays out a number of side effects of PPIs but claims that they are “safe and effective in most people.” Among the side effects listed are iron deficiencies, magnesium deficiencies, increased risk of heart attack, acute interstitial nephritis, increased risk of bone fracture or loss, increased chance of dementia, increased chance of infections, and an increased chance of developing chronic kidney disease.

The Foundation warns against taking PPIs without consulting your doctor due to the risk of kidney damage despite the fact that an over-the-counter version is easily available.

Recall Reports that consumers and health advocates have long pushed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to give PPIs “black box labeling,” the labeling “reserved for serious and life-threatening risks” such as chronic kidney disease, but the FDA has declined to do so. The FDA has issued warnings regarding the risk of “fractures, low magnesium levels, diarrhea, and heart attacks”, but Recall Reports states that these warnings came long after proton pump inhibitors first became available to consumers.

Chronic Kidney Disease PPI Lawsuits

Plaintiff Wayne S. filed a complaint against several pharmaceutical companies on April 28, 2020. The defendants include AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, AstraZeneca LP, Merk & Co. Inc., Sharp & Dohme Corp., Pfizer Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals Inc., and other divisions of these companies.

The plaintiff alleges that, after taking the defendants’ PPIs, he developed serious kidney injuries that required hospitalization. The plaintiff also claims that the PPI manufacturers failed to warn him and his physicians of the risks carried by their products such as the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

The complaint lists seven different counts against the defendants including strict liability due to a design defect and a failure to warn consumers of risks, negligence, breach of express and implied warranty, and fraud.

This complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire.