Nexium Use and Increased Risk for Fracture

Washington, DC: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), including Nexium (esomeprazole), which are used to treat heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers in the stomach and small intestine, and inflammation of the esophagus, can cause bone fractures.

According to data from a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine in 2011, researchers found that patients taking PPIs long-term were 30 percent more likely to suffer fractures than patients who did not. Meanwhile, patients who used high doses of the medications had a 53 percent higher risk of suffering a hip fracture. The study was involved an analysis of 11 studies of PPIs.

This follows information released by the Food and Drug Administration from its review of PPIs, which stated that high doses or prolonged use of PPIs, including Nexium, may boost the risk of bone fractures. The agency advised doctors to consider lower doses and shorter-term therapy. According to the agency, the risks are greatest in patients older than 50.
  Plaintiffs in the Nexium bone injury lawsuits, which were centralized (In re. Nexium (Esomerprazole) Products Liability Litigation, MDL Docket No. 2404), allege that AstraZenaca, the Nexium manufacturer, knew about the risks of broken bones but did not disclose the risks to the consumers so that they could continue selling more Nexium. The plaintiffs claim the drug caused osteoporosis, loss of bone density and/or Nexium bone fractures.
  On March 14, 2013, the FDA Pediatric Advisory Committee said that observational studies suggest that proton pump inhibitor therapy may be associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist or spine in patients who received multiple daily doses and long-term PPI therapy. In April 2012, MHRA, which is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK, published an article revealing that there is recent epidemiological evidence of an increased risk of fracture with long-term use of PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors), including Nexium.
 

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Last updated on May-9-20