Many people took Nexium or Prilosec for heartburn, acid reflux, or ulcers—without knowing that long-term use may increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Now, lawsuits are being filed because drug makers did not warn patients or doctors about the dangers. If you or a loved one developed gastric (stomach) cancer after using these medications for a year or more, you may qualify for compensation.
How Nexium and Prilosec Can Increase Cancer Risk
Nexium and Prilosec are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They reduce stomach acid, which helps with reflux and ulcers—but using them for too long may cause health issues, including:
- Changes in the stomach lining that can lead to cancer
- Overgrowth of harmful bacteria, like H. pylori, which can increase cancer risk
- Higher levels of gastrin, a hormone that may help cancer cells grow
📌 Risks Based on Use Length:
- 1+ year = 5 times higher risk
- 2+ years = 6 times higher risk
- 3+ years = 8 times higher risk
The problem? These risks were not shared with patients.
Symptoms of Gastric (Stomach) Cancer
Many symptoms can be mistaken for regular stomach problems. If you’ve taken Nexium or Prilosec for a long time, watch for these warning signs:
- Ongoing stomach pain
- Nausea or vomiting that doesn’t go away
- Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite
- Feeling full quickly when eating
- Blood in your stool or black, tar-like stools
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
People are often diagnosed too late because they weren’t warned to look out for these symptoms.
Why Are People Suing?
The lawsuits say that Nexium and Prilosec makers:
- Ignored growing proof that long-term use can lead to cancer
- Didn’t update warning labels to reflect the risks
- Promoted the drugs as safe for daily, long-term use without enough research
- Failed to advise doctors and patients to monitor for side effects
These lawsuits aim to hold companies responsible for hiding important safety information.
Who Can File a Lawsuit?
You may be able to file a claim if:
- You took Nexium or Prilosec for one year or more
- You were later diagnosed with gastric or stomach cancer
- You needed medical treatment like surgery, chemo, or radiation
📌 If a loved one passed away from stomach cancer and had taken these medications long-term, you may be able to file on their behalf.
What’s the Goal of These Lawsuits?
These lawsuits are about more than just money—they’re about:
✅ Getting justice for patients who were never warned
✅ Making drug companies answer for their actions
✅ Helping people cover the cost of medical treatment and loss
