Long-term use of common heartburn drugs may raise the risk of kidney damage, according to US research. Scientists advise that patients should only use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) when medically necessary and for the shortest possible duration.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, analysed data from over 170,000 people taking PPIs and 20,000 taking an alternative class of acid-suppressing drugs. Over five years, PPI users had a 28% increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease and a 96% greater risk of kidney failure.
Lead researcher Dr Ziyad Al-Aly from the VA Saint Louis Health Care System said: 'The results emphasise the importance of limiting PPI use to only when it is medically necessary, and also limiting the duration of use to the shortest possible. A lot of patients start taking PPIs for a medical condition, and they continue much longer than necessary.'
Five PPIs are licensed in the UK, treating millions annually. Most require a prescription, but omeprazole and pantoprazole are available over the counter. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advises that PPIs should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time.
