An Illinois Nexium Lawsuit may be an option for patients who suffered complications after taking the heartburn medication. Nexium, also known as esomeprazole, is a popular medication used to treat acid reflux disease and other complications of the stomach and esophagus. Despite widespread use, there have been reports allegedly linking the medication to serious risks and side effects, including those affecting the kidneys. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation for their injuries with the help of an Illinois Nexium lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Illinois. 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 Nexium lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Nexium and How Does It Work?
Nexium is a type of medication known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Along with other PPIs, Nexium reduces the amount of acid in the stomach. Nexium is used to treat a number of conditions and stomach complications, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenal ulcers, and symptoms related to heartburn.
PPIs work by blocking the amount of acid produced by glands in the stomach, potentially preventing the formation of ulcers or assisting in the healing process.
Nexium Side Effects
Serious side effects may occur when taking Nexium. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), serious side effects of Nexium include:
- Chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, or atrophic gastritis
- Symptoms related to low magnesium levels in the body such as seizure, dizziness, abnormal or fast heartbeat, jitteriness, jerking movements, muscle weakness, and spasms of the voice box
- Serious allergic reactions, including rash, face swelling, throat tightness, and difficulty breathing
- Severe diarrhea due to an infection of the intestines
- Increased risk of bone fractures, particularly in the hip, wrist, or spine
Nexium Kidney Disease Risks
Research published in several peer-reviewed medical journals including the BMC Nephrology, The BMJ, and the JAMA Internal Medicine have linked the use of PPIs, including Nexium to the following kidney risks:
- Acute Interstitial Nephritis (AIN): AIN is a kidney disorder in which the spaces between the kidney tubules become swollen or inflamed. Symptoms of AIN may include blood in the urine, fever, increased or decreased urine output, drowsiness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, swelling, rash, and weight gain.
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), AKI is a syndrome that results in a sudden decrease in kidney function or kidney damage within a few hours or days. Symptoms may include water-electrolyte imbalance or fatigue, insufficient urine production, shortness of breath, swelling, or too much acid in the blood or tissues.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): CKD is a condition characterized by a slow, progressive loss of kidney function over a long period of time. CKD may include conditions that damage the kidneys and decrease their ability to remove wastes from the blood.
If these conditions are not treated properly, they may progress into kidney failure. Symptoms of kidney failure include weakness, shortness of breath, lethargy, and confusion. If the kidneys fail completely, patients may need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
Nexium Lawsuit
An Illinois Nexium lawsuit was filed in May 2016. The lawsuit alleges that the makers of Nexium, AstraZeneca, received numerous case reports of kidney injuries in patients who took Nexium as early as 2004. Despite this knowledge, the lawsuit claims that the manufacturers took no action to inform the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s physician of the known risks and continued to represent that Nexium did not pose any risks of kidney injuries.
The lawsuit further alleges that, as a direct result of the manufacturer’s misconduct, the plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer emotional and mental distress and anxiety from the fear of knowing there is a likelihood of serious adverse side effects and complications of Nexium such as potentially life-threatening kidney damage.
How an Illinois 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 for more information.Get Help Now.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Illinois. 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.
