Nexium, Prilosec Stomach Cancer Problems
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.
Nexium and Prilosec are among the most widely recognized brand-name medications on the market, and are used by millions of Americans. Although most consumers believe the heartburn drugs are safe and carry few serious side effects, our product liability lawyers have been representing individuals nationwide in recent years who suffered serious kidney problems from proton pump inhibitors (PPI).
As more is learned about the potential side effects users may face, the scope of cases being evaluated by Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. has been expanded to also include a review of potential Prilosec and Nexium stomach cancer lawsuits as well.
Concerns about the link between Nexium and stomach cancer started to gain more widespread attention late last year, following the publication of two studies that indicate users may face a substantially greater risk of developing this serious disease.
In November 2017, a study published in the medical journal BMJ Open concluded that there was a threefold increased incidence of stomach cancer among Nexium, Prilosec and other PPI users.
Researchers examined data from a population based cohort study involving nearly 800,000 users of proton pump inhibitors from Sweden between 2005 and 2012. While the increased risk of Nexium stomach cancer problems seen among both genders and all age groups, the study found that users under the age of 40 faced a more than 22x greater incidence. In contrast, users of Zantac and other histamin-2 receptor antagonists, which are a competing class of heartburn drugs, did not face any increased risk.
These findings were released around the same time as another study published in the medical journal Gut, which indicated that long-term use of Nexium and other PPI drugs may dramatically increased the risk of developing stomach cancer. Researchers reviewed data on more than 63,000 individuals from Hong Kong over a period of 8 years.
Nexium and other PPI drugs are known to be associated with a worsening of gastric atrophy, particularly among individuals with Helicobacter pylori (HP) infections. In this second study, researchers identified individuals with gastric cancer following HP therapy, reviewing data on more than 63,000 individuals from Hong Kong over a period of 8 years.
Again no increased risk of stomach cancer problems was seen with the other heartburn drugs, yet side effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) were associated with an overall 2.4 fold increased risk. That risk increased to 5.04 after 1 year of use, 6.65 after 2 years use and 8.34 after 3 years. The adjusted absolute risk difference for PPI vs. non-use of the drugs was 4.29 additional gastric cancer cases per 10,000 “person-years” of use.
Concerns about the failure to properly warn about the Nexium stomach cancer risk were highlighted in a letter published online by the medical journal Gut on December 12, 2017, which indicates that the cancer side effects could have been realized decades ago, before so many individuals were exposed to the risk of stomach cancer.
The authors question why the manufacturers of Nexium and other PPI drugs have not done studies to address the gastric cancer problems associated with long-term use of their drugs. The potential link between stomach cancer and PPI treatment should have been anticipated by the late 1980s, according to the letter.
NEXIUM AND PRILOSEC STOMACH CANCER LAWSUITS
There are currently thousands of Nexium lawsuits, Prilosec lawsuits, Prevacid lawsuits, Protonix lawsuits, Dexilant lawsuits and other claims pending in the federal court system against the manufacturers of PPI drugs pending in courts nationwide, each raising similar allegations that users and the medical community were not adequately warned about the risk of serious kidney problems, such as acute interstitial nephritis, chronic kidney disease and renal failure.
As potential stomach cancer lawsuits are reviewed in the coming weeks and months, it is expected that the size and scope of this litigation will expand and that users will be entitled to financial compensation due to the drug makers’ apparent decision to place their desire for profits before consumer safety.
Early detection and diagnosis of gastric cancer is critical for prompt treatment. If users had been warned about the stomach cancer risk with Nexium, Prilosec and other PPI, many individuals may have avoided this devastating disease by choosing a different heartburn treatment or more closely monitoring for signs and symptoms of gastric cancer, such as:
- Indigestion
- Bloated Feeling After Meals
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Loss of Appetite
- Stomach Pain
- Bloody Stool
- Vomiting
- Weight Loss
- Yellowish Skin or Eyes
- Trouble Swallowing
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously investigated cases of stomach cancer from Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid or other PPI drugs. The information on this page is for informational purposes only.
23 Comments • Add Your Comments
Betty says:
I have shingles 4 time
Posted on October 14, 2018 at 8:33 am
G.Colleen says:
I have been in the hospital for pneumonia and I found out that I have cronic kidney disease I stay in pain and I’m not getting better
Posted on October 26, 2018 at 7:05 am
Jean says:
My stomach has been messing up. lately. I have had had massive pain nausea problems and trouble with fatigue. My daughter Jessica Gerou has hand stomach problems for years. I just saw dead parasites in bowel movement she had yesterday. She told me they are alive in her body right now. She reached
on this problem herself
She said might have the same problem because I am obsessed for my my body’ height. Could either of us have
possibly have stomach cancer?
Posted on November 2, 2018 at 4:49 am
Jean says:
My stomach has been messing up. lately. I have had had massive pain nausea problems and trouble with fatigue. My daughter Jessica Gerou has hand stomach problems for years. I just saw dead parasites in bowel movement she had yesterday. She told me they are alive in her body right now. She reached
on this problem herself
She said might have the same problem because I am obsessed for my my body’ height. Could either of us have
possibly have stomach cancer?
Posted on November 2, 2018 at 4:50 am
Sarah says:
Can’t control bowels, nausea, can’t eat, constipation.
Posted on November 3, 2018 at 10:10 pm
June says:
I have been taking Omeprezol for many years, in lieu of using the pricey name brands. It works well, but would I still be included in this class action if it was determined that I’m at risk or have gastric cancer, etc. ??
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 3:06 pm
Sharon says:
Suffered with various issues with stomachaches, digestion, thoracic problems while using the various medications which required major surgery, feeding tubes, etc.
Posted on November 28, 2018 at 5:56 pm
archie says:
can”t control bowels cronic nausea constipatiom kidney problems
Posted on December 2, 2018 at 8:01 am
Judith says:
I have imflamation in stomach. Feels like a lump. Unable to loose weight. Constipation all the time.
Posted on January 2, 2019 at 8:45 am
Crystal says:
I have stomach problem for along time i have alot heartburn doctor put me on nexium and i started have problem hurting in my stomach throwing up i was like this for 8 month doctor couldnt fine out what was wrong got where i couldnt eat i throw up all time i weghit 140 pound in 3 month i drop to75 pound feb 2 2018 they did surgery remove cancer that was in my stomach and i had so much infection and massive in there i had cut me from my ribs all the way to my low bottom stomach they had remove piese of my part in my stomach because it got so bad in there i still haveing problem now and doctors still tell me take pr
Posted on January 27, 2019 at 7:53 pm
Rosa Lee says:
Iam sick with acid reflux constantly cansepated pain in stomach pain when i deficate extream gas and swelling in stomach not hungry my liver has problems and my kidneys are not good either but these meds are only things that help with acid reflux and I get diarrhea and tarred stools sometimes
Posted on February 1, 2019 at 10:51 pm
Marilyn says:
You should all have your thyroid levels checked. I had high thyroid, had it removed. Then went hypo low thyroid. Digestion got very bad, bloating, diabetes, feeling like something crawling inside me. Tests for parasites, etc. Showed nothing. Now I have raised my Thyroid replacement hormones and it is all going away. Doctors don’t know this, so give you damaging pills. Twice I was given Prilosec, did no good stall, just damages your immune system and digestive enzymes.
Posted on February 11, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Carol says:
I have been on omeprazole for many years. My stomach problems have increased and my bowel issues have been very unpredictable.I am nauseated daily and I still have indigestion even after taking omeprazole I end having to take nausea medicine after I eat and sometimes drinking coffee or tea even water hurts my stomach.
Posted on February 16, 2019 at 6:58 am
Patricia says:
I took nexium for year’s and I have a lot of trouble, and I’m on prilosec now everyday, and still my problems with my stomach hasn’t gone a way, I lost 60 pounds from having my head in a bucket everyday
Posted on February 26, 2019 at 12:44 am
Sherrie says:
Every Since I’ve been on all those Antacid Meds…..My Stomach is Bloated, Keep Kidney Infections, Stomach Pain, Nausea, Constipation, Fatigue..and weight loss. I’ve been on these Prescribed Prescriptions for over 5yrs.
Posted on March 12, 2019 at 10:10 pm
JoAnne says:
I am unable to control my bowel movements, constipation, bladder problems stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea. Also i can’t lose weight.
Posted on March 14, 2019 at 6:20 am
Ethel says:
I had kidney cancer. I took nEXIUM for awhile before that. No one in my family had a history in kidney issues or cancer. They removed my kidney early!
. I was very lucky
it was caught early.
Posted on March 14, 2019 at 5:12 pm
Deborah and Benny says:
Ive been on stomach medication for years after having an ulcer in 2000, starting with nexium for years. now ive been esomeprazole 40 mg tablets for years, as is my husband. Do we have grounds for a lawsuit?
Posted on March 18, 2019 at 2:18 pm
Sharon says:
Been on nexium and Prilosec for years,for acid reflux:was having chest pain went to ER last winter and the dr. Said it was my esophagus.Had many tests at gastroenterologist,and they told me I have 50 percent motility now.im 64 and hard for me to take pills.Its scary.
Posted on April 25, 2019 at 1:29 am
Nancy says:
I was prescribed Omeprazole 5 yrs ago to treat an ulcer. Then I got nauseated every time I ate. I developed chronic diarrhea that does not respond to treatment. Last Dec. I was in the ER for smoke inhalation, When it was discovered I had Chronic kidney disease and had already lost 49% of my kidney function. I was told the doctors had no idea why I had kidney failure in the first place. As of my last blood test my kidneys were no longer losing function and they also didn’t know why, but I did I had read about the troubles others were having with Omeprazole, so I stopped taking it. Wonder of wonders my symptoms got better. I didn’t get my kidneys back, but they are no longer failing.
Posted on May 22, 2019 at 5:10 am
D says:
Just a comment. I believe prilosec depletes body of magnesium or other needed mineral. After getting very I’ll several times and ignored by drs, I researched and figured out it was the prilosec. I went to a specialist who tried to give me prosec. I told him, just dont give me a proton pump inhibitor….he didn’t even know what that meant and again prescribedprilosec. Askdd pharmacist which drug was not a ppip, and she said tagament.(cimitidine). She also said I was the first person to ask about PPI drugs in 32 years, lol. Again, des dont put these things in our records so we are unable to file any claims. I started recording my visits. It’s not allowed, but I figure the penalty cant be that bad so it’s worth it. Record from phone hidden in purse.
Posted on September 6, 2019 at 2:14 am
Charlotte says:
I developed the inability to swallow and after 2 years of sufering and 6 or 7 years of tests for this problam which has finally been diagnosed as a closed valve at the bottom of my esophagus. It was recommended that I had to chose whether I wanted surgery or not
I have been on Nexium and Prilosec for over 10 years. Please advise.
Posted on September 6, 2019 at 7:25 pm
Francisca says:
Severe lack of energy. Fatigue 24/7
Posted on January 24, 2022 at 7:08 pm