NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2017 : Federal Nexium lawsuit filings and other proton pump inhibitor claims involving kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, and other serious kidney complications are beginning to move forward in the multidistrict litigation recently established in the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. (IN RE: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation (No. II), MDL No. 2789)
According to court documents, the litigation is scheduled to convene its Initial Conference on September 12th, at which time matters pertaining to discovery and other pre-trial proceedings will be addressed. The parties have been directed to submit a Joint Agenda to the court by September 8th."Our Firm is representing a number of clients who are pursuing proton pump inhibitor lawsuits over renal complications allegedly related to their use of Nexium and similar drugs. We look forward to this conference and will be monitoring the proceeding for any developments that might impact our clients' cases," says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The Firm is now offering free legal reviews to individuals who were diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, acute kidney injury, or acute interstitial nephritis following extended use of prescription or over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors.
What is the Proton Pump Inhibitor Litigation About?
Proton pump inhibitors are a class of heartburn drugs that includes prescription and over-the-counter versions of Nexium, Prilosec, and PrevAcid, among others. They are intended for short-term treatment of GERD and other stomach disorders associated with the over-production of stomach acid. In 2013, more than 15 million Americans used prescription proton pump inhibitors, at a cost of more than $10 billion. However, it has been estimated that between 25% and 70% of these prescriptions have no appropriate indication.
Because heartburn drugs like Nexium have become so commonplace, most people assume that proton pump inhibitors carry very little risk. However, several recent studies have suggested that their long-term use might increase a patient's risk for kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, acute interstitial nephritis, and acute kidney injuries.
Court documents indicate that nearly 200 proton pump inhibitor lawsuits are pending in the District of New Jersey. Plaintiffs involved in this litigation claim that the manufacturers of Nexium, Prilosec, PrevAcid, Dexilant, and Protonix failed to adequately warn consumers that the medications could cause irreparable harm to the kidneys. They further assert that they could have avoided life-threatening kidney complications had they and their doctors been provided with appropriate safety warnings.
Proton pump inhibitor patients who were diagnosed with serious kidney complications may be eligible to join this litigation.
