Kidney Failure and Nexium: The Dangers Drug Manufacturers Don’t Want You to Know

Nexium (Esomeprazole) is one of the most commonly prescribed proton pump inhibitors. Nexium is an oral medication used to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach (classified as a proton pump inhibitor, or PPI). Most often, individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, or other conditions that cause an overproduction of acid in the stomach are the ones prescribed Nexium. Individuals with a damaged esophagus may also take Nexium. Additionally, Nexium can help prevent and/or treat stomach ulcers.

Nexium and Kidney Disease Lawsuits

In February 2016, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that as many as 20 to 50 percent of patients taking PPIs had an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Over a 13-year period, JAMA reviewed over 10,000 medical records of patients taking PPIs like Nexium and found that the longer these medications were taken, the higher the risk of kidney failure.

Nexium manufacturer AstraZeneca has been sued, investigated, and scrutinized for years for allegedly hiding harmful side effects of their PPIs by way of deceptive marketing. As time goes on, Nexium lawsuits against AstraZeneca are on the rise and don’t seem to be slowing down as more patients report acute and chronic kidney failure—specifically conditions such as acute and chronic kidney/renal failure and acute interstitial nephritis.

Nexium and Acute Kidney/Renal Failure Lawsuits

Acute kidney/renal failure is a condition where an individual’s kidneys abruptly and without warning, fail to do their job: filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Acute kidney failure is treatable by a medical professional, but diagnosis requires tests and imaging. Individuals suffering from renal failure may not show symptoms, or symptoms may be subtle.

If you’ve taken Nexium is the past two weeks and are experiencing any of these conditions/changes, contact your doctor immediately:

• Whole body or partial-body swelling
• Shortness of breath or fatigue
• Nausea
• Decreased urinary evacuation

After you’ve contacted your doctor, consider hiring an Indianapolis personal injury attorney for a potential Nexium lawsuit for your acute kidney failure.

Nexium and Chronic Kidney/Renal Disease Lawsuits

Conversely, chronic kidney failure is not curable. Individuals diagnosed with chronic renal disease may find that treatment is helpful, but the disease is lifelong. Medication is a treatment option for chronic kidney failure, and in later stages, individuals may require dialysis or a transplant.

Unfortunately, individuals with chronic kidney disease may never show signs or symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they are typically not specific to the disease. It’s only diagnosed with lab tests.

If you’ve taken Nexium for at least 2 weeks and have been diagnosed with chronic kidney/renal disease, a lawsuit for your Nexium-related injuries may be possible.

Nexium and Acute Interstitial Nephritis Lawsuits

Acute interstitial nephritis is the sudden, but temporary, onset of inflammation in the spaces between the kidneys. Acute interstitial nephritis is most often a a side effect of medications. Luckily, it’s a treatable condition: A sufferer simply has to stop taking the medication—and in this case—stop taking Nexium, and the condition will subside.

Sometimes, symptoms may not be present if an individual is suffering from acute interstitial nephritis. If symptoms do arise, they can come on fast, gradually, and vary greatly. However, if you’ve taken Nexium in the past two weeks and show any of these symptoms, contact your doctor and stop taking Nexium:

• Blood in urine
• Either an increase or decrease in urinary output
• Whole body or partial-body swelling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue

While acute interstitial nephritis is a known side effect of proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium, it shouldn’t discourage you from pressing on for a potential Nexium lawsuit. If you were unaware of this side effect, you’re not alone: Your lack of information could be the fault of illegal marketing or drug manufacturers intentionally withholding side effects from the public.

When to File a Nexium Lawsuit for Your Kidney Injuries

In the past, victims have filed lawsuits against drug manufacturers like AstraZeneca for Nexium injuries and kidney damage for the following:

• Developing knowingly-defective medications
• Using illegal or dishonest marketing techniques to conceal dangers of medications from both the medical community and the public
• Knowingly failing to offer adequate risks of taking the medications

Contact a Drug Injury Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a defective drug, you are urged to contact the Indianapolis Drug Injury Attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. The lawyers at WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Share This Article