AstraZeneca might have improperly redirected Prilosec users to Nexium by improperly overstating the clinical trials that "demonstrated" Nexium's effectiveness.

Investigation and pending class action lawsuit against AstraZeneca on behalf of consumers who purchased Nexium.

The suit contends that as the drug's distributor, AstraZeneca conspired to redirect consumer loyalty from their highly profitable heartburn medication, Prilosec, to Nexium before Prilosec's patent expired and generic competition drove the price down. According to the class action lawsuit, AstraZeneca deceived consumers through a misleading advertising campaign, designed to convince consumers that Nexium was a new and improved heartburn drug. The class action lawsuit states that throughout AstraZeneca's advertising for Nexium, it alluded to clinical trials that proved Nexium's effectiveness over Prilosec. However, the trials referred to only tested Nexium at levels twice that of Prilosec, and thus were not a true indication of Nexium's effectiveness.

As detailed in the class action complaint, Nexium is a "mirror compound" of Prilosec, containing the same active molecule found in Prilosec. The suit contends that there is no evidence to support that Nexium is substantially better than Prilosec. According to the class action lawsuit, AstraZeneca's plan proved profitable. As generic competition drove the price for Prilosec down, sales for Nexium rose to $3.3 billion by 2003. Currently, Prilosec can be obtained over the counter and costs about one-eighth of the cost of Nexium.

Do not change medications without first consulting your doctor.