Nexium Kidney Risks Come as Surprise for Users Due to Lack of Warnings

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted May 5, 2016

ADD YOUR COMMENTS 33

October 2023 Update: Following an October 2023 PPI heartburn drug lawsuit settlement, Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. is no longer reviewing new potential cases. The information on this page is for informational purposes only.


Millions of individuals have used Nexium, Prilosec and other popular heartburn drugs in recent years, believing the medications to be safe. However, information continues to emerge that highlights serious kidney risks associated with the medications, including a risk of kidney failure, kidney disease and other kidney injuries.

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously reviewed potential Nexium lawsuits, Prilosec lawsuits and other claims over similar acid reflux drug kidney risks, which were not adequately disclosed to consumers and the medical community.

Information about the Nexium kidney risks has come as a shock to many individuals contacting our law firm in recent weeks, but it clearly appears that AstraZeneca and other drug makers knew, or certainly should have known, about these problems for years.

Nexium Kidney Problems

Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Dexilant and AcipHex are all members of a class of heartburn medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They have been among the top-selling drugs in the United States for years, and many are now widely available over-the-counter for treatment of acid reflux, GERD and other stomach ailments.

The medications are widely promoted and many users and medical providers have believed they are safe and carry few long-term health risks. As a result, many people remain on the drugs for years and years, potentially increasing the risk of kidney injury or other problems.

In 2014, the FDA required a number of label warnings be added to the drugs about the risk of acute interstitial nephritis, a form of kidney inflammation linked to the drugs. However, more recent studies have revealed that the drugs could also lead to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure, which could require users to undergo dialysis or could even lead to death.

In April 2015, a study published in CMAJ Open warned that the side effects of Nexium and similar drugs could cause an abrupt loss of kidney function, known as acute kidney injury.

Those findings were followed by a study published earlier this year in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine, which found that the medications may also increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, or CKD.

Last month, yet another study was published that highlights the kidney risks with Nexium, Prilosec and other PPIs. In the April 2016 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, researchers indicated that use of the drugs may increase the risk of kidney failure by 96% when compared to other heartburn treatments that are not proton pump inhibitors. They also found a 28% increased risk of chronic kidney disease.

Nexium Kidney Injury Lawyers

The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously provided free consultations and claim evaluations for users of Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Dexilant, AcipHex and other heartburn medications who suffered kidney injuries from these medications, including

  • Acute Interstitial Nephritis (AIN)
  • Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
  • Kidney Failure Resulting in Dialysis, Transplant Surgery or Other Treatment

New proton pump inhibitor (PPI) cases are no longer being investigated by Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. The content on this page is for informational purposes only.

33 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Elena says:

    Oh yeah ! I’m having some kidney problems. I’ve been talking Nexium .I didn’t know about it!

    Posted on May 11, 2016 at 6:49 pm

  • Shelley says:

    Long term use of the PPIs! Double doses (prescribed by my doc) for approx 20 years! I sure would like to be checked out to make sure my kidneys aren’t bad because of it.

    Posted on May 14, 2016 at 4:42 pm

  • Nancy says:

    I have had to take nexium prilosec or one of them for about 15 years lots of kidney infections

    Posted on May 14, 2016 at 6:07 pm

  • Jean says:

    i have been taking PPI since 2000. I’ve been having kidney problems for 3/4 yrs.
    Now have stage 3 Renal Failure.

    Posted on May 15, 2016 at 8:49 pm

  • sheila says:

    I have been having lots of problems ,now I can see why ,

    Posted on May 18, 2016 at 8:49 am

  • Thelma says:

    I am having server kidney pain & difficilties with my kidneys. I have been taking nexium for 5 years the prescription dosage was the 40mlg & now I take across the counter 20mkl. Until I read your information on face book I never knew that this drug was causing problems thank you for sharing this.

    Posted on May 19, 2016 at 1:15 am

  • Patricia says:

    I have been on a prescription of Omeprazole and Pantoprazole for years & just found out to my shock that I have been diagnosed with CKD Stage3!! Is this also some of the drugs that are to blame for my CKD?

    Posted on May 19, 2016 at 1:18 am

  • Teresa says:

    Took Nexium for sixteen years,and never knew about anything having to do with your kidneys.Than they put me on protanix and I started having a chronic cough . So my doctor took me off the med.I will be going for ct scan in July

    Posted on May 19, 2016 at 8:03 am

  • georgina says:

    I Took Prilosec in the past Now my doctor giving me omeprazole for Stomach problems I hope I’am fine….has anyone had Complains with this medication???…I Pray for healing for the ones that are having kidney problems in the Name of Jesus AMEN……

    Posted on May 20, 2016 at 11:19 am

  • Twanya says:

    I started out Oct stuff but that wasn’t helping then my doctors put me on Protix then Nexium, ,then Inseparable double dosage at 40 mgs for a long time then it drop down to once a day but I have been on it for 25 years now…I have had few problems b4 in the past didn’t think nothing of it but now I have blood in my urine I hurt so bad in lower back, I get infection easier and I never did that before. .I would like to get check to see what’s up bc I’m scared since I seen this and I have been reading comments bc I bet I have something wrong as well. .can someone help me as well? ?

    Posted on May 22, 2016 at 5:01 pm

  • Sherry says:

    I just did a urinalysis today that they are checking for interstitial nephritis. Can they tell that just by a urinalysis? I know my blood tests for last couple years has shown my kidney function is low. The doctor flat out told me I have some kidney disease!!! Then he went on to pretty much say that this law suit is a bunch of garbage! I think NOT! I’ve been on prilosec for about twenty years!

    Posted on May 25, 2016 at 12:51 am

  • Janice says:

    Have taken nexium for years and now I have started having lower back pain! Took acifihex before that Noam now on omeprazole 40 mg 2 times daily. Really scared about this medication.

    Posted on May 25, 2016 at 9:08 am

  • Leonard says:

    Been use prilosec & prevacid 20 years

    Posted on May 25, 2016 at 9:42 am

  • Sharon says:

    I had been on one Nexium 40 mg capsule/day for many years. Then when it went OTC I switched to one 20mg tablet every other day. Never one bit of kidney discomfort, back or urinary problems in all that time.

    Posted on May 25, 2016 at 11:14 pm

  • lynn says:

    What about generics for them? Are they also on included?

    Posted on May 26, 2016 at 10:10 pm

  • Judy says:

    I have a large cyst and bad kidney pain – have been on Nexium for GERD for many years. Could the nexium cause cysts???

    Posted on May 27, 2016 at 12:59 pm

  • Lewis says:

    Has stage two Kindey

    Posted on May 29, 2016 at 8:05 pm

  • kaye says:

    I too took nexium for over a year it actually worked unlike the others i took. i had noticed i had to go to bathroom more and now i know why. had a test my stats were worse having another test in June. Cannot believe we were not warned. Even my Dr took the pills.

    Posted on May 30, 2016 at 11:56 am

  • Kristina says:

    I’ve been on nexium for a while now . I’ve had to go to the ER because I had a bad kidney infection , and still to this day I’ve had alot of pain in my lower left back. I’ve been using AZO ‘s alot because I have alot of pain and burning but feel the urge to urinate . So I take those in order to feel better . And no one should have to make sure that they have those on hand all the time. I would like to have my kidneys checked to see if I have any damage to them , now that I have seen these articles .

    Posted on May 30, 2016 at 12:49 pm

  • Geneva says:

    I have been taking Nexium since 2005.until March 2016.I have CKD(chronic kidney disease). I haven’t talk to a Lawer yet. But I will now.

    Posted on May 31, 2016 at 12:16 am

  • Cindi says:

    I have CKD stage 3, although I get it past <60 when well hydrated, but I am still labeled CKD. I have had other health issues I saw it can do also. Barrett's, and pre cancer stomach cells. I have been on about 12 years and the whole time I have still gastris. 4 months ago they Doctor was going to ween me from it and saw my PH acid was off the charts, again, did endoscopy and found the above results. I get endoscopy every 2 years because he put me on Nexium because 1st one showed Barrett's it was healed and now it is worse than before with the pre cancerous stomach cells. I also got osteoporsis a side effect, and low vitamin B 12 and had shots for it. Guess it is one scary drug.

    Posted on May 31, 2016 at 2:32 pm

  • Michael says:

    I have problems urinating

    Posted on June 8, 2016 at 9:28 pm

  • paula says:

    Been taking all, and aciphex for 25 years.now have enlarged renal gland. Also much back pain and can’t lay on right side. Have been to endocrinology. Found on ct scan. eow, They Have POISONED us:(sad, AND angry!

    Posted on June 11, 2016 at 10:51 am

  • Nina says:

    My husband past away Nov 5 2013 he was on medium his kidneys got damage he was on kidney machine for awhile not realizing taking that cause this problem. Every 3 months he had to have stents put in.

    Posted on June 11, 2016 at 12:20 pm

  • Rose says:

    I have been on Zantac first and then for the last 20 years or more have been on Nexium and Reglan for my GERD and have ended up with ulcers and ulcer surgery. I went in and found out I had Barrett’s esophagus so had to have Endoscopies close together to keep a check on it and had biopsies done of the Barrette’s. I have to go in for another Endoscopy soon. I found out after that that I have Chronic Kidney disease too. I have taken two a day of the Nexium all the time and then the Reglan four times a day. I tried Prilosec once, but it didn’t help me at all so was changed back to Nexium. I have been talking to these lawyers now and am sending my paper work back in to them on Monday.

    Posted on June 11, 2016 at 4:37 pm

  • Judy says:

    I have labs that say my kidneys are not functioning at optimal level. And urine that is very acidic. Sometimes I feel like someone is dancing on my bladder, but more than the kidney dysfunction I became severely B12 deficient and I can’t get the doctors to hear my pleas about the nerve pain that is wracking my body.

    Posted on June 14, 2016 at 8:59 am

  • Letitia says:

    Hello. I’ve been using Nexium and like generics for a number of years now. Haven’t been diagnosed for kidney problems, but know that I have at least one. Drinking a lot of water these days to offset the scary dark urine. Will need to see my doctor again.

    Posted on June 14, 2016 at 3:42 pm

  • Mary says:

    I have been taking Nexium for Years, then Went to prilocsec for several years. Heard about kidney problems
    With taking these drugs, l now take Pantroprozol .so Im thinking , I’ve been having several fatty Tissues popping up in my stomach, had 1 Removed recently ,as Painful. Could this be a possibility of these Drugs.

    Posted on June 19, 2016 at 1:06 pm

  • susan says:

    I was on the one the doctor have you on they are the same thing and I have a kidney disease from those stomach pills your taken now I believe in the healing of Jesus . Stop taken those Omeprazole God bless you.

    Posted on October 16, 2017 at 11:08 am

  • Stacey says:

    I am on several of these medications now for GI issues. I didn’t know that any of these can harm you in any way. Was prescribed these meds from my GI dr and my PCP.

    Posted on December 6, 2017 at 10:42 am

  • Margie says:

    I was on medium for years with no idea of any risks. I am having numerous stomach issues which my doctors have been informed, yet we haven’t know as of yet what is or has caused the problems.

    Posted on December 7, 2017 at 4:48 pm

  • James says:

    My mom took Prilosec and Nexium for years before she had kidney problems and they had to operate trying to remove the kidney they nicked her intestines then Stitcher backup they had to go back in to fix the problem and was in the hospital for about 8 months and in intensive care for a number of months before she passed away when I look in the back of her car after she passed away I seen bottles and cases of Nexium and prilosec in her trunk she had been taking it for years

    Posted on July 26, 2018 at 6:59 am

  • Donna says:

    I have been on the generic brand for Nexium for about maybe 25/30 years…..was on Nexium long before I started the generic for GERD…..I was on my Mayo clinic portal when I was looking under health issues and it read kidney disease stage 3…..well it scared me so I called my drs nurse and she left a message for Dr to call me…..I had an appt in a couple days so thought I would wait to see her…..went to my appt and I ask her what was this about my kidneys….she said no reason to get upset that is the way they write it up!! I love my Dr and I trust her but this really seemed weird!! I told her about a year ago that I had read that Nexium wasn’t good to be on for a long time….she said oh no not true!! I would also check my labs when I had blood work done and it would always show my kidneys very high!! My lower back has been hurting for some time but didn’t complain to Dr about it as well as my stomach!!

    Posted on October 25, 2019 at 2:22 pm

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