Nexium Esomeprazole | Proton Pump Inhibitor | Lawsuit, Lawyer | Side Effects : Bone Fractures, Bone Breaks, Hip, Wrist, Spine, Hypomagnesemia | AstraZeneca’s Nexium | Takeda’s Prevacid | Prilosec OTC Procter & Gamble | Other PPI’s: Aciphex (rabeprazole) Protonix (pantoprazole) Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) Vimovo (combination of esomeprazole and the painkiller naproxen) Zegerid (combination of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate)
Gilman Law LLP, a leading national law firm with over 40 years of experience protecting the rights of victims, is now accepting claims for lawsuits involving side effects, including bone fractures and hypomagnesemia, associated with the use of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI), Nexium.
Nexium Side Effects and Symptoms
Bone Fracture: Long-term use of Nexium may put users at risk of sustaining a bone fracture, especially a fracture of the hip, wrist or spine. It is believed that by lowering stomach acid levels, Nexium may inhibit the body’s absorption of calcium, which in turn could lead to osteoporosis and fractures.
Hypomagnesemia: Low serum magnesium levels can result in serious adverse events including muscle spasm, irregular heartbeat, and convulsions.
Nexium and Bone Fractures
Evidence of a link between Nexium and bone fractures has been growing for some time. In 2006, a British study published in the December 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found prolonged and/or heavy use of Nexium increases the risk of hip fractures in individuals over 50 years. The study analyzed 145,000 users of different PPIs, including Nexium. The results showed a 44% increase in the risk of hip fractures for individuals over the age of 50. The study also showed that long term, high dose users had a two and a half times greater risk of hip fractures than non-users.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced in May 2010 that it was revising the safety labeling for PPIs, including Nexium, to warn that they might be associated with a higher risk of hip, wrist and spine factures. The new safety information was based on the FDA’s review of several epidemiological studies that reported an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine with PPI use. As was the case with the British study, the FDA found that those at highest risk were people over 50, and those who received high doses of PPIs or used them for one year or more.
Since the FDA issued its May 2010 PPI bone fracture warning, more research has confirmed a possible association between PPIs like Nexium and broken bones. In the spring of 2011, for example, a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine found that patients taking PPIs long-term were 40 percent more likely to suffer fractures than patients who did not. High doses of such medications were associated with a 53 percent higher risk of suffering a hip fracture.
Nexium and Hypomagnesemia
In 2011, the FDA warned that people who use Nexium or other PPIs for longer than one year may be vulnerable to low serum magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia). According to the FDA, its review had uncovered 38 cases of hypomagnesemia among Nexium and other PPI users in the Adverse Event Reporting System, and 23 other cases in the literature. Some cases were reported in adult patients taking PPIs for at least three months, but most cases occurred after a year of treatment. Approximately one-quarter of these cases required discontinuation of PPI treatment in addition to magnesium supplementation, the FDA said.
What is Nexium?
Nexium, known generically as esomeprazole, is a prescription PPI approved to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and other conditions related to excess stomach acid. Nexium can also be used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus caused by stomach acid). Nexium is AstraZeneca’s largest-selling drug and the third largest-selling drug in the world. In 2005, AstraZeneca recorded Nexium sales of $5.7 billion, and $5.2 billion in 2008.
Legal Help for Victims of Nexium Side Effects
If you or someone you know suffered a bone fracture or hypomagnesemia following the use of Nexium, Gilman Law is here to help. For a free evaluation of your case, please fill out the online form on the left or call Toll Free at 1-888-252-0048.