An Arizona Nexium lawsuit may be an option for patients who experienced serious complications after taking the drug to treat acid reflux. Nexium, one of the most recognized prescription drugs on the market, has been allegedly associated with serious complications affecting the kidneys. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to pursue a claim and recover compensation with the help of an Arizona Nexium lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact the Attorney Group for Arizona. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with an affiliated Arizona Nexium lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Nexium?
When the damaging effects of heartburn cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), doctors often prescribe Nexium to reduce the acid produced by the stomach. When there is less acid moving back up the esophagus, the gastrointestinal system can heal and recover. While this treatment doesn’t immediately relieve symptoms, it does reduce long-term suffering. According to MedicineNet.com, Nexium lowers the stomach acid level by disabling the enzymes that encourage acid production. Medicines that perform this function are called proton pump inhibitors.
What Diseases Does Nexium Treat?
While most users of the drug report taking it to treat symptoms of heartburn, Nexium is prescribed for a number of underlying causes of discomfort, including:
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: When tumors develop in the intestinal system or pancreas, they often cause excess stomach acid by emitting gastrin hormones which trigger overproduction of acid. This rare disease is called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Treatment methods may include Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors to decrease acid production and lessen symptoms.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Patients who suffer from GERD complain of intense heartburn and reflux symptoms two or more times every week. This condition is caused by a malfunctioning sphincter muscle allowing acid to escape the stomach and move back up the esophagus. This condition is typically a chronic one and difficult to correct, sometimes requiring surgery. Nexium is used to allow the damaged esophagus to heal, relieving pain and symptoms over time.
- Esophagitis: When patients experience heartburn symptoms, such as chest pain and difficulty swallowing, their doctor may diagnose them with esophagitis. This disease can cause damage to the tissue in the esophagus from inflammation and can lead to scarring and functional abnormalities. When children and babies develop this disease, it often leads to difficulties gaining weight and feeding. Esophagitis can be caused by infection, allergic reactions, certain medications or other factors that cause acid to travel back up the esophagus.
Additionally, some patients also report using the drug to limit the growth of ulcers.
Nexium Side Effects
While Nexium has been taken by millions of patients and successfully relieved many heartburn symptoms, it has also been linked to several side effects. The most widely experienced side effects include stomach complaints such as vomiting, nausea and diarrhea, as well as headaches, rashes and dizziness. Use over a long period of time can result in other symptoms, such as a deficiency of vitamin B12 and an increased risk of bone fractures. Other side effects include weakness, irregular heartbeat, leg cramps, nervousness and water retention. There are also several possible drug interactions, making it important to research any warnings before use.
CNN.com also reports on a study done concerning possible side effects by the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Researchers analyzed over 20,000 people who had used an alternative medication and 173,321 patients who had used proton pump inhibitors, including Nexium. The study found that, while the proton pump inhibitors were thought to have a low toxicity, patients who had used them were 96 percent more likely to develop chronic kidney disease within five years of taking the drug.
How an Arizona Nexium Lawsuit Can Help
Drug makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by bad drugs may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact the Attorney Group for Arizona. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
