According to recent studies conducted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other groups, taking popular antacids like the purple pill Nexium for longer than a year may increase the risk of hip fractures significantly, especially in people over age 50. Nexium is one of the most commonly used prescription drugs on the entire market, taken by millions of individuals annually.

The medical professionals analyzing Nexium hypothesized that the same qualities of the drug that minimize the amount of acid in the stomach also prevent the body from absorbing an adequate amount of calcium. Calcium is essential to the development and maintenance of healthy bones in the body. This deterioration of the bones has led to reported weaker bones and Nexium related hip fractures.

Among the elderly, hip fractures may often lead to life-threatening complications. Until recently, the general perception of drugs like Nexium was that they were basically harmless. Bone fractures, more specifically hip fractures, were not listed as possible Nexium side effects when the drug was originally released and approved. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) latest warning now requires Nexium and other antacids to carry a special warning on the drugs’ label about potential bone fractures including Nexium hip fractures.

For many people suffering from heartburn, they are able to find relief from over-the-counter remedies like Tums or Rolaids, but for some these over-the-counter medicines are not adequate. According to one study, patients who used drugs like Nexium for more than a year had a 44% higher chance of hip fractures than nonusers. The study claims that the longer a patient takes Nexium, the higher the risk of hip fractures. Many patients have been taking Nexium for years without knowing the potentially dangerous side effects like hip and other bone fractures.

According to reported sales figures, Nexium is the second highest selling drug in the world with sales of more than $4.5 billion last year. The study also claims that men are at a higher risk of Nexium hip fractures than women. The researchers are unsure whether this difference is due to the fact that women may be more aware of the risks of osteoporosis or that they get more calcium in their diets.

Now that AstraZeneca, the maker of Nexium, is required to carry a special warning regarding Nexium hip fractures, many people wish that they had these warnings years ago. Nexium has been on the market for more than 10 years, so there are likely very many cases of Nexium hip fractures in which the patients had no idea what caused their painful hip fractures.

Nexium Lawsuit – Speak to an Attorney

Have you or a loved one suffered from bone fractures, hip fractures, bone loss, bone density loss, or osteoporosis which you think may be attributed to taking AstraZeneca’s Nexium? If so, you may be entitled to compensation from the makers of Nexium. Our Nexium lawyers are currently accepting Nexium hip fracture lawsuits for individuals suffering from bone fractures, bone loss, and osteoporosis caused by prescription Nexium. Please call today to see if you have grounds for a Nexium hip fracture lawsuit