Drug

Nexium – Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

More than 15 million Americans use Nexium to treat the short-term symptoms of heartburn and the long-term damage of acid reflux. Researchers recently linked the household drug to dementia and chronic kidney disease, though the newly discovered dangers still don’t appear on the labeling.

Introduced

2001

Treats

Heartburn and acid reflux

Side Effects

Dementia and chronic kidney disease

Read more about Nexium – Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Purple pills representing the Nexium heartburn drug lawsuit settlement.

Heartburn Drug Lawsuit Settled by Manufacturer

MedTruth Editors · October 12, 2023

Plaintiffs in these 11,000 lawsuits claimed that the heartburn drugs they took caused them to develop chronic kidney disease.

News
A photo of a man touching his through as he experiences viral gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, linked to PPI use.

Overuse of Everyday Heartburn Medications Increase Risk for Stomach Flu

Benjamin Duong · January 9, 2020

Studies have linked the off-label use of PPIs, a common class of heartburn medications, to an increased risk of viral gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu.

Research + Findings
An illustration of a man with stomach pain, indicating heartburn PPI medications may increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Heartburn PPIs May Increase the Risk of Stomach Cancer

Ashley Lombardo · November 3, 2017

A study published in the journal Gut found the long-term use of heartburn medication, known as PPIs, may increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Research + Findings
A woman holding her stomach after taking acid reflux medications (PPIs) and developing a gut infection.

Researchers Link Heartburn Medications to Higher Risk of Gut Infection

Ashley Lombardo · January 11, 2017

New studies link acid reflux drugs to infection. PPI risks also include CKD, magnesium deficiency, dementia, bone loss and heart attacks.

Research + Findings