A man from Arizona has joined the growing proton pump inhibitor litigation, alleging his long-term use of Nexium caused chronic kidney disease and other renal complications that ultimately led to a kidney transplant.
The complaint was filed on November 29th in the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, where hundreds of similar cases have been filed against the manufacturers of Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Dexilant and Protonix. (Case No. 2:17-cv-12186)
According to his lawsuit, Seth Wright began taking Nexium in 2002 and continued to use it consistently through 2006. The complaint asserts that he developed chronic kidney disease as a direct result, leading to dialysis and ultimately a kidney transplant.
“Recent studies have shown the long-term use of PPIs was independently associated with a 20% to 50% higher risk of CKD, after adjusting for several potential confounding variables, including demographics, socioeconomic status, clinical measurements, prevalent co-morbidities, and concomitant use of medications,” the complaint states.
Yet the Nexium product labeling does not include any warnings regarding this potential side effect. The Nexium lawsuit also asserts that safer alternatives to proton pump inhibitors are available, including Maalox, Tums, and H2 blockers like Zantac.
“Plaintiff, Seth Wright, would not have used Nexium had he been properly warned of the kidney risks associated with its ingestion,” the lawsuit charges.
Smith’s Nexium lawsuit is just one of the most recent cases to be filed in the centralized proton pump inhibitor litigation now underway in the District of New Jersey, As of November 15, some 315 cases were pending against the manufacturers of Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, and Dexilant.
In 2013, more than 15 million Americans turned to prescription proton pump inhibitors to relieve symptoms associated with GERD and other peptic disorders. Millions of others have taken over-the-counter versions. Nexium is one of the most popular of the class, and stands AstraZeneca’s largest-selling drug, as well as the third largest-selling globally.
By some estimates, up to 70% of proton pump inhibitor prescriptions lack an appropriate indication. Many patients also take the drugs for far longer than recommended, often not realizing that they are indicated for only short-term treatment.