The FDA is warning about a severe kidney side effect from Nexium known as acute interstitial nephritis. It can occur in just a few days or weeks and cause permanent kidney problems.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Nexium induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with acute interstitial nephritis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is Nexium?
Nexium is the brand-name for esomeprazole, an anti-heartburn medication in the Proton-Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class that is made by AstraZeneca.
What is the problem?
Nexium is available over-the-counter, which is why many people falsely assume it is safe. Unfortunately, a growing number of studies have shown that it can significantly increase the risk of kidney problems — including acute interstitial nephritis.
The first case reports linking PPIs and nephritis were published in the 1990s. By October 2004, AstraZeneca was aware of at least 15 cases of acute interstitial nephritis in patients on Nexium. However, it took another decade before labels were updated to warn about nephritis.
What is Acute Interstitial Nephritis?
Acute interstitial nephritis is a kidney disease that is almost always caused by allergic reactions to medications in the bloodstream. It causes sudden inflammation in the kidneys and swelling of the interstitial tissue between tubules. It is also sometimes called “tubulo-interstitial” nephritis.
Symptoms
The symptoms of acute interstitial nephritis sometimes occur in just a few days, but usually take a few weeks. These symptoms may include:
- Enlarged kidneys
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Fever
- Rash
- Fatigue or unusual sleepiness
- Abdominal pain
- Increased or decreased urine output
- Swelling in the body
- Fluid retention
- And more
Treatment & Prognosis
Patients with nephritis should stop taking Nexium. If they do so within a few weeks, most will recover near-normal kidney function within a couple months. The longer nephritis goes untreated, the higher the risk of kidney failure.
It is very common for people with nephritis to develop fibrosis (scarring) that permanently decreases kidney function. In severe cases, treatment may involve dialysis to mechanically clean the blood when the kidneys do not work.
Do I have a Nexium Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Nexium induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with acute interstitial nephritis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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