Nexium Lawsuit Investigation Launched by Bernstein Liebhard LLP after Two Studies Link Proton Pump Inhibitors to Chronic Kidney Disease, Kidney Failure

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May 05, 2016, 02:49 ET

NEW YORK, May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The nationwide law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP has launched a new Nexium lawsuit investigation, following the publication of two studies which found that the use of proton pump inhibitors may be associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. The Firm is now offering free, no-obligation legal reviews to anyone who was diagnosed with serious kidney complications, including kidney disease, renal failure or acute interstitial nephritis, following treatment with Nexium or other proton pump inhibitors.

"The findings of these recent studies were quite disturbing. Considering how popular medications like Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid have become, we thought it would be prudent to take steps to inform the public about this important public health issue," says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing victims of defective drugs and medical devices.

Proton Pump Inhibitors and Kidney Complications

Proton pump inhibitors are a popular class of heartburn drugs that are indicated for the short-term treatment of acid-related conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dyspepsia, acid peptic disease, peptic or stomach ulcers, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Prescription medications in this class include:

Nexium (esomeprazole)
Prilosec (omeprazole)
Prevacid (lansoprazole)
Dexilent, Kapidex (dexlansoprazole)
Aciphex (rabeprazole)
Protonix (pantoprazole)

Certain proton pump inhibitors are also sold over the counter, including Nexium 24HR, Prilosec OTC, and Prevacid 24HR.

It is estimated that some 15 million Americans were prescribed a proton pump inhibitor in 2013. Due to their widespread use, most people consider these drugs to be extremely safe. However, they have been associated with a number of serious side effects including C. diff infections, B12 deficiency and low magnesium levels. Recent research has also linked the use of proton pump inhibitors like Nexium to kidney failure and chronic kidney disease.

In 2014, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) required all manufacturers of prescription proton pump inhibitors to add new information to their product labels regarding reports of acute interstitial nephritis that had occurred among some patients. This acute kidney injury is characterized by swelling in between the kidney tubules, and is often the result of an allergic reaction to a medication. Untreated, the condition can progress to kidney disease and renal failure.

In April, researchers writing in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology reported that long-term users of proton pump inhibitors may be 96% more likely to develop kidney failure and 28% more likely to develop chronic kidney disease compared to patients using another class of heartburn drugs called H2-blockers. The study drew data from the Department of Veteran Affair national databases, and compared 73,321 proton pump inhibitor uses to a group of 20,270 H2-blocker patients. The subjects were followed for five years, during which time 15% in the proton pump inhibitor group developed chronic kidney disease. The findings also suggested that risk increased the longer the medications were taken.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in January also suggested that proton pump inhibitors might increase the risk of chronic kidney disease by as much as 50%. The findings were based on an analysis of medical records from more than 10,000 patients treated in community-based settings, as well as 248,000 people treated in a Pennsylvania hospital system.

People who took Nexium or another proton pump inhibitor may be entitled to compensation if they were diagnosed with serious kidney complications, including acute interstitial nephritis, chronic kidney disease or renal failure, which may be associated with these medications. To learn more about filing a Nexium lawsuit, please visit Bernstein Liebhard LLP's website, or call 800-511-5092 to arrange for a free, no obligation case review.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993. As a national law firm, Bernstein Liebhard LLP possesses all of the legal and financial resources required to successfully challenge billion dollar pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As a result, our attorneys and legal staff have been able to recover more than $3.5 billion on behalf of our clients. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is honored to once again be named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List," recognizing the top plaintiffs firms in the country. This year's nomination marks the thirteenth year the firm has been named to this prestigious annual list.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
800-511-5092

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2016 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, 800-511-5092. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
Sandy A. Liebhard, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info (at)consumerinjurylawyers(dot)com
http://www.nexiumlawsuit.com/
https://plus.google.com/115936073311125306742?rel=author

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SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP