A Maryland Nexium lawyer may be able to help people who suffered serious complications after taking the popular acid reflux medication. Nexium is most commonly prescribed to treat symptoms associated with gastroesophageal disease and acid reflux. Despite the drug’s popularity, Nexium has been allegedly linked to serious kidney diseases, including chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, interstitial nephritis and end-stage renal disease. Affected patients and their families may be able to file a claim with the help of a Maryland Nexium lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Maryland. 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 lawyer who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Nexium?
Nexium, also called esomeprazole, is used to treat the symptoms of acid reflux disease; some doctors also prescribe it to help with the damage to the esophagus that stomach acid causes. In other words, many people who experience continual heartburn or esophagus damage may take Nexium. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2001, and while there has not been a recall, some people say that Nexium has led to serious bone fractures and kidney issues, severely impacting their lives.
About Acid Reflux Disease
Acid reflux disease, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease, may be more likely to occur in people with certain risk factors. These factors include being overweight as well as bending or exercising after a heavy meal. Both adults and children can get acid reflux disease, and doctors use tools such as barium swallows and pH testing to determine if someone could have the disease. It is primarily characterized by heartburn, although other common signs include nausea, sore throat and food coming up. In severe cases, esophagus damage may occur and lead to pre-cancer and ulcers.
What Causes the Disease?
Indirect causes of acid reflux disease often include vomiting, alcohol and foods such as chocolate, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In fact, there are many indirect causes, and they all lead to the direct cause, the lower esophageal sphincter muscle band not being able to sufficiently block off the esophagus after the stomach fills with food. This failure of the lower esophageal sphincter means that acid, food and other contents of a person’s stomach trickle back up into the esophagus. Thus, the signs of heartburn result, as do other signs of acid reflux disease.
Treatments
Doctors frequently take a multi-pronged approach in treating acid reflux disease, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. For example, surgery can be an approach of last resort. First, though, doctors may urge behavioral changes such as avoiding huge meals as well as certain types of foods. Elevating a patient’s head while he or she sleeps is another option. Medication, such as Nexium, is another possibility; this drug works to minimize the amount of stomach acid in a person’s system.
As with any drug, it is important for patients on Nexium to discuss their medical histories with their doctors. Some possible side effects of the drug can be severe, particularly for users of more than two or three years. They include decreased magnesium levels, decreased B12 levels and an increased risk of bone fractures. On the less-serious side, some people may experience diarrhea, headaches and abdominal pain.
Why Some People May File a Maryland Nexium Lawsuit
While the FDA has warned about bone fractures as a possible side effect of Nexium for a few years, patients, including marathon runners and avid exercisers, continue to grapple with the possible repercussions of Nexium, and some doctors may not be fully aware of the fracture risks. Hundreds of lawsuits centering on bone fractures have resulted, and more recently, there has been some evidence of possible links between Nexium and conditions such as dementia and kidney injury.
For example, an Illinois man filed suit against AstraZeneca in 2016, alleging that the company fell down on its duty to adequately warn consumers of Nexium side effects. Fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation as well as product liability were some of the specific claims he made. He said that he experienced kidney failure, which led to the need for a kidney transplant, and that AstraZeneca knew as far back as 2004 that excessive kidney problems were a possible side effect of Nexium.
How a Maryland Nexium Lawyer 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 File a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Maryland. 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.
