Prescription Nexium is part of a larger class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Manufactured by pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, Nexium is one of the leading sellers in the PPI class which had sales of more than $14 billion in 2009. Nexium is used to treat heart burn and ulcers among other conditions. Recently, the FDA released a warning stating that Nexium and other PPIs cause bone deterioration which can lead to bone loss, osteoporosis, and bone fractures.
Bone loss, bone deterioration, osteoporosis, and bone fractures are all Nexium complications that were not originally mentioned by AstraZeneca, the makers of Nexium. Following the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) warning about Nexium and other drugs, Nexium is now required to have special warning information on its drug labels regarding bone loss, bone deterioration, and bone fractures. Prior to this warning, many Nexium patients likely had no idea that their bone fractures were caused by taking Nexium.
Nexium Bone Fracture Lawsuits
Nexium bone fracture victims have begun filing Nexium bone fracture lawsuits. In 2011, an Ohio woman filed a lawsuit against AstraZeneca claiming that Nexium had caused multiple bone fractures in her. She suffered from a broken leg in 2005 and another broken leg in 2008 which she claims were caused by prescription Nexium. The Ohio woman stated that the Nexium bone fractures still have not fully healed.
Her Nexium bone fracture lawsuit claimed that AstraZeneca was aware of the dangers of Nexium, and the potential bone fracture side effects, but that they failed to warn doctors and potential patients. Nexium now carries a special warning about bone fractures, but many people have been taking the drug for years and have had no idea that Nexium can lead to bone fractures.
Research studies have shown that Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce the bones’ ability to absorb calcium. Calcium is a vital mineral for bone health, and over time the bones can deteriorate if they don’t receive enough calcium. This leads to bone loss and osteoporosis which means ‘porous bones.’ Once osteoporosis has developed the bones become weakened and brittle. Bones are much more likely to fracture in patients suffering from osteoporosis.
AstraZeneca, the makers of Nexium should have warned doctors and patients about the risk of Nexium bone fractures. Nexium carries with it a long list of potential side effects, but until recently, there was no mention of the potential for Nexium bone loss and bone fractures. Bone fractures can be very painful and may cause an individual to miss work. In some cases, as in the woman’s from Ohio, patients’ bones have difficulty recovering from the deterioration caused by Nexium. As individuals age, bone health is increasingly important, and it may require more time to recover from fractures.
Nexium Lawsuit – Speak to an Attorney
Have you or a loved one suffered from bone fractures, bone loss, bone density loss, or osteoporosis which you think may be attributed to taking AstraZeneca’s Nexium? If so, you may be entitled to compensation from the makers of Nexium. Our Nexium lawyers are currently accepting Nexium lawsuits for individuals suffering from bone fractures, bone loss, and osteoporosis caused by prescription Nexium. Please call today to see if you have grounds for a Nexium lawsuit