Nexium Lawsuit

Have You or a Loved One Taken the Drug Nexium?

Nexium is a proton pump inhibitor, and is often used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other medical conditions concerning excessive stomach acid and related damages. It is designed to be used only for serious conditions, but often it is prescribed by doctors for simple heartburn, and mistakenly used for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Nexium has several possible side effects and adverse reactions. The more severe side effects related to the use of the drug are: Osteoporosis-related bone fractures and loss of bone density.

Side effects also include:

• Allergic reaction
• Breathing difficulty
• Closing of the throat
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
• Hives
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Flatulence
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Bone fractures –particularly osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist or spine
• Bone loss
• Back and chest pain
• Diarrhea
• Gastritis
• Acne
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency
• Blurred vision
• Migraines
• Impotence
• Fatigue

According a study published in 2008 by the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), patients who use proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium, for a period of 5 or more years to treat acid reflux, peptic ulcers, and other conditions related to excessive stomach acid are at a greater risk of Osteoporosis-related bone fractures and loss of bone density. The risk of hip fracture increases after 5 years of continuous exposure, and the risk of any bone fracture are substantially higher after 7 years of continuous exposure to proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium. Patients with the greatest risk are those who take high doses or remain on Nexium for a year or more.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in May 2011, that Nexium may increase the risk of bone fractures when taken for a period longer than 12 continuous months, or when taken in high doses. The FDA warning was followed by a review of two different studies that were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The studies revealed that spine, hip, and wrist fractures are more common in patients that had taken proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium. Patients were not warned about the potential risk of Nexium and the side effects such as bone fractures and osteoporosis. Only now, several years after the initial studies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that labeling for Nexium contain a “black box” warning referring the increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine as one of a number of possible Nexium side effects.

Here at Thornhill Law Firm our experience in multi-district litigation, class actions and pharmaceutical litigation, provides us with the ability to offer our clients uncompromised and complete support for those who have been harmed by the drug Nexium. If you or a loved one has taken Nexium and are concerned about the potential risk factors associated with its use, call us today and our experienced attorneys and staff will be able to determine your course of action.