Nexium Facts:

A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom has discovered a link between use of certain proton pump inhibitors, including Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid, and an increased potential of hip fracture in people over 50. The study determined that acid reduction can aid in heartburn relief while also having a negative effect on the body's ability to absorb calcium. Without an adequate intake of calcium, the bones weaken and become more susceptible to fracture or break. The report was released in the Dec. 27, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showing the correlation between people taking these powerful antacid drugs and the increased risk of hip fractures. The data concluded that proton pump inhibitors could increase the risk of hip fractures as much as 260 percent.

Usage:

Nexium, (Esomeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor, developed and marketed by AstraZeneca and used in the treatment of dyspepsia Indigestion), peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a disorder where increased levels of the hormone gastrin are produced, causing the stomach to produce excess hydrochloric acid). Similar brands of escomeprazole include Lucen, Esopral, and Axagon.

Esomeprazole is available as delayed-release capsules in the United States or as delayed release tablets in Australia and Canada (containing esomeprazole magnesium) in strengths of 20 mg and 40 mg; and as a powder (esomeprazole sodium) for intravenous injection/infusion. Oral esomeprazole preparations are enteric-coated, due to the rapid degradation of the drug in the acidic conditions of the stomach.

Proton pump inhibitors are some of the most commonly prescribed drugs because of the prevalence of heartburn in the United States. It is estimated that there are millions of people throughout the country currently taking Nexium, Prevacid or Prilosec. Nexium is in fact the second best selling drug in the world, with revenues exceeding $4.6 Billion in 2005. For people suffering from chronic heartburn, proton pump inhibitors like Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid, represent one of the only means through which to experience relief from the bothersome heartburn effects.

Litigation:

Representatives from some of the most popular proton pump inhibitor manufacturers argue that the link between their heartburn drugs and hip fracture is nothing more than a "potential association". It is argued that doctors are responsible for monitoring the health and wellbeing of their patients to prevent issues related to insufficient bone density levels and that proton pump inhibitors have proven to be an effective treatment for chronic heartburn sufferers; however patients in the study taking a proton pump inhibitor for more than a year were two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer hip fracture than nonusers. Despite these significant findings, the drugs do not appear in danger of being recalled from the market.

Astra Zeneca is the pharmaceutical company responsible for the development and marketing of both Prilosec and Nexium. Massachusetts consumers of the heartburn medication Nexium filed a statewide class action lawsuit against the drug's distributor in 2005. The lawsuit alleges that by deceiving the public about the value and effectiveness of Nexium through a multi-million advertising campaign, AstraZeneca has illegally deceived Massachusetts consumers and caused them to pay a premium price for Nexium as a result of that advertising.

The suit alleges that the pharmaceutical company sought to preserve their market share and profits as the patent on their blockbuster drug, Prilosec, was set to expire, by initiating a massive and misleading advertising and promotional campaignto deceive consumers into switching from Prilosec to Nexium, a nearly identical new drug. Most of the scientific evidence released by Astro Zeneca on the efficacy of Nexium compared 40mg of Nexium to 20 mg of Prilosec. Consumers could be easily misled into believing that Nexium, which costs up to 7 times as much, is superior to over-the-counter Prilosec. This tactic could be seen as deliberately designed to optimize their commercial benefit instead of health.

"Profits over people" seems to be the prevailing position in the pharmaceutical industry. If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of taking Nexium, Prilosec or Prevacid, please fill out the contact form and an experienced DrugSettlement.com attorney or repreesentative will call you to discuss your rights.

If you or a member of your family may have been injured as a result of a pharmaceutical drug, please contact the defective drug lawyers at the Law Office of Nix and McIntyre.

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