JAMA Internal Medicine published a study showing that babies receiving Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) like Nexium, Prevacid or Prilosec brought a higher chance of bone fracture in those children. The study shows concern that doctors are increasingly prescribing these medications to infants.
About PPIs
Roughly, 15 million adult Americans use PPIs every year. Out of these, 20-50% is at a higher risk of chronic kidney disease compared with nonusers. Another study in JAMA Internal Medicine warned not to take PPIs like Nexium at all or to use only for the shortest possible duration. Those that increased their dosage also increased their risk for kidney disease.
Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood effectively. This can lead to end-stage renal failure, which is the need for life-long dialysis treatment or even a kidney transplant.
PPIs & Infant Bone Fractures
According to JAMA, up to 65% of babies show signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is commonly referred to as spitting up. The study followed almost 875,000 children with GERD from 2001 to 2013. Doctors prescribed around 10% with antacids, including PPIs and H2-blockers, in their first year.
Study lead author U.S. Air Force Capt. Laura Malchodi reported that children given PPIs in their first six months had a 22% higher likelihood of fractures about six years after taking the drugs. When children took PPIs and H-2 blockers, the risk rose to 31 percent. The higher the dosage and the younger the child was when starting the medication, the risk increases even more.
Nexium Litigation
Currently, almost 300 cases are pending in the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. Just this past August, hundreds more were moved there from the Southern District of Illinois. Now, the trial is going forward. According to court records, the proceeding issued its 4th Case Management Order on October 24, following its October 11 Case Management Conference. A Case Management Order refers to the schedule of proceedings involved in a case before the court.
If Nexium Hurt You
When manufacturers produce unsafe products that create pain and suffering, you deserve compensation. Although no amount of money will change the fact that you have suffered a serious injury as a result of manufacturer irresponsibility, compensation will help offset your current and future medical costs, as well as provide for the pain and suffering you have experienced. By filing, you may also help protect others from needless distress.
Contact Us
You may be eligible for compensation to ease the financial burdens associated with your injury. Contact us today to set up a free consultation, during which we will listen to your story, answer any questions you may have and discuss your legal rights and options. If you choose us to represent you, we will work with you on a contingency fee basis; this means you pay nothing until we have secured compensation for you, either through a jury verdict or settlement.