Protein pump inhibitors are some of the most common drugs used to treat heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion, stomach ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This class of medication includes drugs like omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole. The medications work by lowering the amount of acid that the stomach makes.
Studies have left us with mixed results. Some warn physicians of over-prescribing these medications and others show little reason for concern.
The Lupus Foundation of America states that there is a possible link between the use of PPIs and drug-induced lupus. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed claiming that side effects of PPIs include kidney disease and bone fractures.
PPIs are highly beneficial drugs that actually save lives. A study by Paul Moayyedi, MD, professor of gastroenterology at McMaster University in Ontario Canada, included 17,598 participants. Moayyedi found no evidence to support claims that PPIs cause serious diseases.
Doctors who prescribe PPIs must continue to follow their patients and patients need to be made of aware of the reported side effects of any medication.
References:
Moayyedi, P., Eikelboom, J. W., Bosch, J., Connolly, S. J., Dyal, L., Shestakovska, O., … Yusuf, S. (2019). Safety of Proton Pump Inhibitors Based on a Large, Multi-Year, Randomized Trial of Patients Receiving Rivaroxaban or Aspirin. Gastroenterology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2019.05.056
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