HOUSTON, TX – April 19:
Ginny Begin, 58, has sued AstraZeneca L.P. And AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals L.P. – manufacturers of Nexium – in federal court, alleging that the acid reflux drug caused her to suffer from loss of bone density and bone fractures. Begin filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Between 2003 and 2011, Begin took Nexium everyday to treat her acid reflux. On July 11, 2005, Begin was walking when a bone in her leg inexplicably snapped in half. In June 2007, the same bone broke in the same place while walking down a flight of stairs. Three bones in her ankle also shattered unexpectedly. Talk about a “tough break!” As a result of these injuries, Begin still experiences severe pain in her leg and ankle. Nexium is a prescription-strength proton pump inhibitor, or PPI, which decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an April 11th safety alert stating use of PPIs (Nexium included) results in an increased risk of fractures. In May 2010, the FDA “ordered PPI manufacturers, including AstraZeneca, to include safety information and warnings about the increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures associated with PPIs.” The complain states that “As early as 2006, studies found PPIs, by reducing hydrochloric acid in the stomach, interfere with the body’s ability to absorb calcium, thus speeding up bone loss and leading to an increased number of fractures. In total, six studies found the risk of fracture significantly increased for those patients over 50 who took a prescription-strength PPI, like Nexium, or who took any PPI regularly for more than one year.” Pretty “bone-chilling” results, isn’t it? Begin claims that AstraZeneca marketed and sold Nexium without warning consumers of the significant risks of bone deterioration despite having knowledge of the risks. Her complaint states that “defendants were negligent in failing to use ordinary care in manufacturing a safe product for the ultimate user; in failing to inspect, supervise and/or carry out health and safety inspections of its product; in failing to adequately warn foreseeable ultimate users of potentially harmful side effects associated with its products; in failing to use ordinary care in selling a safe product for the ultimate user; and in failing to adequately advise foreseeable ultimate users on how to properly use its products.” If you or a loved one have taken Nexium and have experienced any of these side effects, you may be eligible to file a dangerous drug claim.A dangerous drug attorney can help you review your situation, as well as determine if you can file a lawsuit for a dangerous drug injury. At Gacovino Lake & Associates we have formed a dedicated network of personal injury lawyers to serve clients nationwide for their injury claims. Our New York office serves residents of the 5 boroughs with their auto accident, medical malpractice, defective product, premises liability, and Workers’ Compensation claims. For experienced help when filing your defective product claim, contact us today at 1 -800-246-4878
