AstraZeneca focuses on children in Nexium marketing

Despite the recent connection made between Nexium and hip fractures in elderly patients, Nexium manufacturer AstraZeneca has gone ahead with its new marketing push into the child market. On May 22, 2007 the company announced that it was about to present several studies that show Nexium is effective in treating symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) for adolescent patients 12-17.

Nexium, like other prescription antacids including Prevacid and Prilosec, are part of the Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) family of drugs. They help prevent symptoms of GERD and other gastrointestinal problems like ulcers by stemming the production of acid in the stomach. For the most part, doctors have considered these drugs to be "safe." Therefore, they have not worried about serious side effects like hip fracture, which leads to death in 20% of elderly patients within one year of their injuries.

Although children in this age range are not specifically at risk for hip fracture, it is the connection between Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec and hip fracture that should be a concern for the parents (and doctors) of these "patients."

The truth is, nobody is quite sure why people over 50 who take Nexium are at higher risk. At the time of AstraZeneca's announcement, the most popular theory was that Nexium prevents the absorption of calcium into the body.

However some experts thought that there may be other biological processes at work. Some believe that PPIs like Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec may slow down bone regeneration so that old bone is not replaced as quickly. This would lead to more brittle bones that are more likely to break.

Others believe that lack of vitamin D might have a role to play in the risk of hip fracture. Still others scientists think that Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec may cause dizziness in some people, which in turn would lead to more falls and therefore more injuries.

But whatever the cause, sapping growing bones of their calcium, disrupting the growing process, and/or causing conditions that increase the risk of dizziness cannot be considered "safe" for developing adolescent bodies. According to its announcement, AstraZeneca itself admits that the "exact prevalence of GERD in children is unknown." Although the company was quick to point out "GERD can lead to potentially serious complications like failure to thrive and erosive esophagitis in children," it makes no mention of the potentially serious side effects of its own drug until the disclaimer portion of the news release. And not once does it mention the possible calcium absorption side effect.

GERD generally afflicts older people, and its risk factors and level of severity are often affected by a number of controllable factors including weight, diet, level of exercise, and other health factors. For some, prescription drugs may be the answer. But the point is that Nexium, Prevacid, or Prilosec is not the only answer. Doctors and especially patients (or parents of those patients) should be fully aware of all the risk factors before they choose to take these drugs. Failure to alert consumers of these risks – as AstraZeneca has seemingly failed to do in this advertisement/news release – could be viewed as negligence in a court of law.

If you or a loved one has experienced serious side effects while taking Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, or any other prescription drug, contact a Jim S. Adler & Associates personal injury lawyer to find out your legal rights. You may be eligible to collect compensation for your increased medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Fill out the form on this page with the details of your Nexium-related injuries, or call Jim S. Adler & Associates directly to start your free case evaluation.

Nexium Lawyer | Nexium can cause injuries | Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec increase hip fracture risk: study