Taking Nexium, a common medication used to treat heartburn, stomach ulcers, or GERD, has been associated with several severe health risks. Patients who took Nexium and have developed kidney disease, osteoporosis, recurring infections, and more, are now filing lawsuits against the drug manufacturer for failing to warn of these dangers.
Taking any medication involves some risk, but the dangers should never outweigh the benefits. Usually, when a medication is prescribed by a knowledgeable provider, it has been deemed both safe and medically necessary to take.
Medication manufacturers are required to disclose possible risks and side effects of taking any medication. However, sometimes manufacturers may fail to disclose this information. As a result, patients can experience serious health problems and are denied the opportunity to make fully informed decisions about their healthcare.
Unfortunately, Nexium is one medication that has been linked to serious health complications. One major concern with Nexium is the potential for kidney damage.
MedFault can connect you to our team of experienced dangerous drug experts who are helping people take legal action after they have experienced health complications related to taking Nexium. If you’ve taken Nexium and experienced adverse effects, contact us to learn more about your options and how we can help.
What is Nexium, and What is It Used For?
Nexium is the trade name for the medication esomeprazole. This medication was originally created and manufactured by the company AstraZeneca. It was approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001.
As noted by the Mayo Clinic, Nexium is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Nexium is often used in order to treat conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as GERD.
Common Nexium Complications
Taking any medication can have undesired side effects. Side effects may range from common and minimal to rare and severe. Sometimes the term “adverse events” is used to describe more serious complications related to taking medications. These may include responses like allergic reactions or severe health issues.
Side Effects
Some side effects you may experience while taking Nexium can include:
- Nausea, diarrhea, or gas
- Headache
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
Adverse Events
Taking Nexium has been related to certain severe health concerns. Nexium may worsen some existing health conditions, such as low magnesium levels, seizures, or vitamin B12 deficiency.
Taking Nexium has been linked to an increased risk for fractures. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any health history of bone problems, such as low bone density. If you take Nexium for more than a year, it is possible to develop tissue growth in the upper stomach area.
Taking Nexium has also been related to an increased risk for kidney disease. Patients have been warned about developing the specific kidney problem of acute interstitial nephritis.
Acute interstitial nephritis is a kidney inflammation that inhibits the organ’s ability to filter waste out from the body. However, there is growing evidence that Nexium may cause other kidney problems as well.
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Nexium History
Nexium was first approved by the FDA in 2001. Since then, several warnings have been added to Nexium medication labels as new risks have been discovered.
In 2011, the FDA issued a warning that taking Nexium on a long-term basis or at high doses may increase patients’ risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures.
In 2012, the FDA noted that taking proton pump inhibitors like Nexium might put people at risk of developing recurring infections of clostridium difficile. These bacteria cause severe diarrhea and colitis. When taking Nexium, cases of clostridium difficile, or c. diff, may be more antibiotic-resistant than usual, making infections more dangerous and difficult to treat.
In 2014, the FDA warned that taking Nexium may cause acute interstitial nephritis, which is an inflammation of the kidneys. Since then, new evidence has arisen that taking Nexium can increase the risk for other kidney problems, like chronic kidney disease.
In 2020, the FDA noted that people taking Nexium may also be at risk for low calcium levels and parathyroid gland disorders. The FDA is currently evaluating whether or not there is a need for regulatory action.
Nexium Kidney Damage Lawsuits
Dangerous drug lawsuits are most often filed against the manufacturers of the medications. Manufacturers have an obligation to warn the public about the risks of taking certain medications. Without adequate disclosure, doctors and patients have no reasonable way to weigh the risks and benefits of those medications, and decide on safe and necessary treatments.
The severity of the side effect often influences the scope of the legal action taken. When severe complications like kidney damage are discovered to be linked to prescription drugs, as is the case for Nexium, a dangerous drug lawsuit may be filed. Patients who suffered kidney damage after taking Nexium have filed lawsuits against AstraZeneca.
Our Legal Advocates Are Here to Help You
If you experienced kidney damage while taking Nexium, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation.
The network of experienced dangerous drug lawyers at MedFault is ready to help support you during this difficult time and understand your legal options. Schedule a no-obligation consultation to see if you may qualify for financial compensation.
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