Acid-reducing Meds & Dependency

Patients often continue to take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium, Aciphex, Prilosec and Prevacid for years. PPIs reduce acid by blocking the enzyme in the stomach that produces acid.

They’re prescribed for GERD (reflux disease), ulcers and other conditions. GERD is often triggered by consuming chocolate, coffee, alcohol or spicy foods.

Is it really a good idea to continue taking PPIs on a long-term basis? Researchers explored that question recently in a study published in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).

Researchers noted that the prevalence of long-term treatment with PPIs is rising. In their PPI study, researchers from Copenhagen University found that treatment with PPIs for eight weeks in healthy individuals induces acid-related symptoms like heartburn, acid regurgitation and dyspepsia once treatment is withdrawn. In other words, PPIs can cause acid problems for people who’ve never experienced them before.

Christina Reimer, MD, lead of author of the study, said,

“We find it highly likely that the symptoms observed in this trial are caused by rebound acid hypersecretion and that this phenomenon is equally relevant in patients treated long term with PPIs. If rebound acid hypersecretion induces acid-related symptoms, this might lead to PPI dependency. Our results justify the speculation that PPI dependency could be one of the explanations for the rapidly and continuously increasing use of PPIs.”

I find this study particularly interesting. I’ve been taking a PPI for years myself! And I’ll bring up the study to my doc when I get a chance.

Are you taking a PPI like Nexium?

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