Nexium and Interstitial Nephritis

The antacid medication Nexium has been linked to a tripled increased risk of interstitial nephritis, a severe type of kidney inflammation that can lead to kidney failure.

Need a Texas Nexium Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with interstitial nephritis, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

Overview

Nexium (esomeprazole) is an anti-heartburn medication in the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class. It is sold by AstraZeneca.

Study: Nexium May Triple Risk of Nephritis

In April 2015, CMAJ Open published a study in which older adults who started PPI treatment had a tripled increased risk of kidney injury and acute interstitial nephritis.

Nexium and Interstitial Nephritis

In December 2014, the FDA updated the label on Nexium to include warnings about acute interstitial nephritis. However, evidence linking Nexium and nephritis has been growing for years.

Case Reports Linking Nexium and Interstitial Nephritis

The first case report was published in 1992. In 1994, AstraZeneca reported that Nexium was linked to 15 more cases of interstitial nephritis.

In 2005, Australian researchers published two case reports, including one person who needed long-term dialysis. Another person developed interstitial nephritis after taking Nexium for only three weeks.

What is Interstitial Nephritis?

Interstitial nephritis is a kidney disease that causes inflammation and swelling in the spaces between kidney tubules.

Nexium is associated with acute interstitial nephritis, which starts suddenly. It can get worse over time and cause kidney failure in rare cases. In about half of cases, people will develop symptoms of kidney failure like decreased urine output.

What Causes Interstitial Nephritis?

Interstitial nephritis is usually caused by an allergic reaction to medications in the blood. There are over 100 medications that have been linked to nephritis, and the only way to stop the inflammation is by discontinuing the medication.

Symptoms of Interstitial Nephritis

• Blood in the urine
• Fever
• Increased or decreased urine output
• Confusion or drowsiness
• Coma
• Nausea, vomiting
• Rash
• Swelling in the body
• Weight gain from fluid retention

Diagnosis & Treatment

Doctors may suspect nephritis if a patient is taking Nexium and the kidneys are enlarged. The only way to conclusively diagnose interstitial nephritis is by taking a biopsy (tissue sample) from the kidneys and looking at it under a microscope.

In severe cases, patients will need to be hospitalized to receive intravenous (IV) fluids, anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroids), or undergo dialysis. In most cases, patients who stop taking Nexium within a couple weeks of developing nephritis can completely recover.

Need a Nexium Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Nexium lawyers for a free lawsuit review.