Have you or a family member been injured as a result of taking Nexium? Many people have reported injuries as result of taking Nexium. When dangerous pharmaceutical drugs cause side effects that seriously injure or kill the people who are taking those drugs, the pharmaceutical companies need to be held accountable. If they are not held accountable, there will be more injuries and deaths as a result. In the case of Nexium, people have been reporting injuries including hip fractures, leg fractures, wrist fractures and spine fractures as well as other breaks.
What is Nexium?
Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) is a proton pump inhibitor that is manufactured by AstraZeneca, and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2001. It is a prescription drug that was developed to treat and reduce the symptoms of the following stomach conditions:
- ·Heartburn
- ·Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- ·Dyspepsia (upset stomach, indigestion, impaired digestion)
- ·Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
- ·Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) and Extraesophageal Reflux Disease (EERD)
- ·Barrett’s Esophagus
- ·Adenocarcinoma (cancer of the esophagus)
- ·Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
The drug works by blocking the enzyme in the stomach that produces stomach acid. While the decrease in stomach acid can cut down the symptoms of heartburn and other stomach and esophageal issues, that reduction can also make it more difficult for the body to dissolve and absorb crucial nutrients, like vitamin B-12, magnesium and calcium. Those deficiencies can increase bone fragility and can ultimately lead to bone fractures.
FDA Warnings
In May 2010, after reviewing several long-term studies exhibited the dangers that Nexium posed to habitual users, the FDA issued their original warning about the risk of bone fractures. One year later, the FDA added that the risk of bone fractures is significantly increased among females who smoke, or have smoked in the past and use Nexium. In fact, women who smoke or have smoked and use Nexium had a 51% increased risk of suffering a hip fracture, while women who did not smoke had only a 6% risk. Further research also concluded that the duration of the drug use is correlated with the risk of fracture. The FDA has since rendered that the risk of fracture is dose-specific.
Nexium Bone Fractures
As with most prescription drugs, Nexium carries various side effects. The most alarming, however, is bone fracture. The most common types of bone fractures that Nexium has contributed to are hip, wrist and spine fractures.
Current statistics
A study carried out by eHealthMe found that, as of February 28, 2013, 69,652 people have reported to have had side effects when taking Nexium. Among them, 32% (224 people) have reported joint injury. The study found that people who reported injury had taken the drug consistently for a minimum of two years, and that the overwhelming majority (87.5%) had not reported joint injury until they had been taking the drug for 5 – 10 years. Females reported joint injury at a much greater rate than men. Of people who reported injury, 83.33% were female while 16.67% were male. In this study, it was determined that the onset of joint injury rises significantly with age.
Filing a Nexium Lawsuit
If you have been injured while taking Nexium, we would like to hear about it. Please contact us for a free consultation today with a Nexium lawyer and find out what your legal rights and options are.