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Does Nexium Cause Weight Gain?
What You Need to Know

The heartburn medication Nexium (generic: esomeprazole) may cause some users to gain weight because the drug interferes with the body’s absorption of certain nutrients.
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Why Do You Gain Weight on Nexium?

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium interfere with the body's absorption of nutrients, including iron, calcium, and Vitamin B12. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), long-term PPI has been linked to an increased risk for bone fractures, bacterial infections that are especially dangerous to elderly people, as well as a risk of pneumonia and weight gain.

Related Article: Nexium Lawsuit Update

Can Nexium Cause Fluid Retention?

Nexium and other PPIs that treat acid reflux and heartburn may increase the risk of loss of brain function and fluid buildup in the abdomen, according to a 2021 study published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science [1].

What are the Long-Term Side Effects of Nexium Use?

Taking Nexium for extended periods of time may increase the risk of the following serious side effects:

  • Acute interstitial nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
  • Acute kidney injury
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Kidney failure
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Heart attack
  • Ischemic Stroke Risk
  • Gastric tumors, bone fractures (hip fracture, wrist fracture, spine fracture), and anemia
  • Broken bones
  • Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia)
  • Stomach cancer
  • Gut infections
  • Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
  • Community-acquired pneumonia
  • Risk of dementia
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • Severe allergic reactions

Does Nexium Cause Increased Appetite?

A significant increase in appetite has been linked with prolonged use of omeprazole, the active ingredient in Nexium, and other PPIs. The reasons are unclear but are thought to possibly be caused by increased food consumption when symptoms of GERD are better controlled.

What Are the Symptoms of Too Much Stomach Acid?

Some signs that you may have high stomach acid include:

  • Abdominal discomfort, which may be worse on an empty stomach
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Heartburn
  • Diarrhea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Unexplained weight loss

Why Does Acid Reflux Make You Hungry?

When we eat food, the stomach is stimulated to produce even greater amounts of stomach acid and to empty even faster. This is important because slowed emptying of the stomach triggers the most common mimic of hunger, an excessive accumulation of stomach acid called dyspepsia.

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Again, if you were injured by Nexium, you should contact our law firm immediately for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a lawsuit and a lawyer can help.

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