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Scientists say that common anti-heartburn medicines taken by millions of people are linked to premature death.
Drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), can increase the risk of developing life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and cancer of the stomach.
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New research claims to have discovered that the likelihood increases with duration of use, even when medications are taken at low doses.
Professor Ziyad Al-Aly, from the University of Washington in St. Louis, said: "Taking PPIs over several months or years is not safe and we now have a more accurate picture of the problems badociated with long-term use. "
The most widely used PPIs include esomeprazole and lansoprazole, available over the counter under brands such as Nexium.
Taking PPIs over several months or years is not without danger
Professor Ziyad Al-AlyUniversity of Washington
They provide relief by reducing stomach acid and are among the most used tablets in the UK.
More than 50 million prescriptions are issued each year for stomach burns, ulcers and acid reflux.
Professor Al-Aly has called for restriction and has conducted several studies badociating them with kidney damage and increased risk of death.
Other researchers have also badociated them with dementia, bone fractures, heart disease and pneumonia, among other diseases.
& # 39; Thousands of excess deaths & # 39;
The findings in The BMJ are based on 214,467 US veterans, of whom 157,625 were newly prescribed PPIs between July 2002 and June 2004.
The others received another clbad of drugs called H2 inhibitors to reduce stomach acid.
During the next decade, the first mortality rate was 387 per 1,000 – compared to 342 for the latter.
The additional deaths corresponded to a 17% increase in risk.
Prof. Al-Aly, clinical epidemiologist, said, "Since millions of people regularly take PPIs, this translates into thousands of excess deaths each year."
The results also showed an additional number of deaths per thousand deaths from heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and stomach cancer.
What causes stomach burns?
Stomach burns are a burning sensation in the chest caused by stomach acid going up to the throat (acid reflux). I
If this continues, we talk about gastroesophageal reflux (GORD).
Many people have stomach burns from time to time. There is often no obvious reason why.
Sometimes this is caused or aggravated by:
- certain foods and beverages – such as coffee, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods
- to be overweight
- smoking
- pregnancy
- stress and anxiety
- some medications, such as anti-inflammatory badgesics (such as ibuprofen)
- a hiatal hernia – when part of your stomach goes up in your chest
You can relieve symptoms by eating smaller and more frequent meals or trying to lose weight.
Another lifestyle change is to raise one end of your bed 10 to 20 cm so that the chest and head are above the waist level, so that stomach acid does not come not to the throat.
Source: NHS
They found that more than half of those taking them did so without any medical need – the number of PPI-related deaths being the most common in this group.
Professor Al-Aly said, "What is most alarming for me is that people under IPP are at risk of serious harm, but may not need it." is not without prejudice. "
Research has also shown that more than 80% of patients are taking low doses of the prescription drug, or doses that are equivalent to those offered over the counter.
Professor Al-Aly said: "This suggests that the risk may not be limited to prescription PPIs, but that it may also occur at over-the-counter doses."
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expressed interest in the data presented by his team.
Professor Al-Aly said: "PPIs sold over-the-counter should include a clearer warning about potential health risks, as well as a clearer warning about the need to limit the duration of use, which should not usually exceed 14 days.
PPIs sold over-the-counter should include a clearer warning about potential health risks, as well as clearer advice on the need to limit the duration of use.
Professor Ziyad Al-AlyUniversity of Washington
"People who feel they need to take over-the-counter PPIs longer than they need need to see their doctor."
Researchers continue to study the adverse health effects badociated with PPIs, particularly among those most at risk.
Professor Al-Aly added, "Many people unnecessarily take PPIs, and these people may be at risk when drugs are unlikely to be beneficial to their health.
"Our study suggests the need to avoid PPIs when this is not medically necessary.For those who need it, the use of PPIs should be limited to the lowest effective dose and to the shortest possible duration. "
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It has been suggested that drugs could shorten the telomeres, protective caps at the end of the chromosomes that have been compared to the plastic tips located at the ends of the laces.
PPIs and H2 receptor antagonists are prescribed as internal bleeding, gastroesophageal reflux, and esophageal cancer. Over-the-counter PPIs are most often used for stomach burns and indigestion.
Researchers say people often stay too long on pills because they are available over-the-counter.
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