Taking omeprazole for longer than two weeks without a prescription could increase the risk of anaemia and osteoporosis, according to researchers in Brazil. The common stomach medication, used by millions across the UK for heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux, is available over-the-counter, but many people may be misusing it by taking it for longer than advised.
Long-term use alters nutrient absorption
Researchers in Brazil discovered that using omeprazole for too long can change the way the body absorbs certain nutrients. This can potentially put people at risk of serious health issues like anaemia and osteoporosis by decreasing iron levels and leeching calcium from the diet into the bloodstream instead of the bones.
Osteoporosis causes bones to become more weak and fragile, making them more susceptible to breaks and fractures as they lose bone density. It develops over several years, but the condition does not have many noticeable symptoms until a person starts breaking bones.
Symptoms and official guidance
Anaemia causes a range of noticeable symptoms including tiredness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, pale skin and headaches. It can be treated with certain medications and lifestyle changes such as eating more meat and fortified cereals.
Official guidance from the NHS warns: “Do not take omeprazole for longer than 2 weeks if you bought it without a prescription. See a GP if your symptoms get worse or do not get better.”
However, because people can buy some omeprazole medications at pharmacies without needing a prescription, some may be taking it for much longer than they are meant to. People taking the medication long-term are advised to have regular check-ins with their doctor. It is also best to check with a doctor if planning to stop taking the drug after long-term use, even if it was not prescribed in the first place.
Study findings and side effects
Omeprazole can cause a range of side effects even with normal usage under doctor's orders. This can include headaches, stomach pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea or vomiting. The NHS also warns: “Taking omeprazole can make it harder to notice symptoms of some serious conditions, such as stomach cancer. See a GP if you're worried.”
Published in the ACS Omega journal earlier this year, scientists at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) used rates and simulated the way humans use the drug. They found long-term use caused mineral accumulations in the stomach, imbalances in the spleen and liver as well as changes in the blood.
The animals' blood had increased calcium levels and decreased iron levels, indicating a risk of anaemia and osteoporosis as a result. Longer studies are needed to confirm these results.
Andréa Santana de Brito, a researcher at UNIFESP, told Agência FAPESP: “It isn't a question of demonizing the drug, which is effective for various gastric conditions. The problem is its trivialized use, even for mild symptoms such as heartburn, and for prolonged periods of months and even years. Its adverse effects shouldn't be overlooked.”
