Latest news with #PPIs
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Pharmacist shares hidden' dangers of pill taken by millions in UK
Millions of people take the drug for common conditions Deborah Grayson, a pharmacist known as the 'Godmother of Pharmacology', has issued a warning about the long-term digestive impact of medication taken by millions to alleviate heartburn and acid reflux. She took to TikTok to discuss how omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), can affect gut health. While these drugs may provide temporary relief for sufferers, Mrs Grayson warned they could also lead to issues such as bloating and nausea, weight gain, and vitamin deficiencies. PPIs are among the most prescribed medications in the UK, with 73 million NHS prescriptions dispensed in England in 2022-23, costing £190m. She explained: "Omeprazole stops heartburn and reflux, but how does it really work? It's a PPI, and that interferes with the cells of the stomach responsible for producing stomach acid. So, if we stop the stomach from producing acid - by taking a PPI - the theory is that we will stop the acid coming back into the oesophagus and causing heartburn and reflux. "There's often a discussion about whether heartburn is related to low or high stomach acid. But actually it's to do with the timing of the stomach acid. While stopping your stomach producing that acid can be beneficial in the short term, it's not always great for your digestion in the longer term as we need that acid to break down our food. It can be helpful to have omeprazole if you've got gastritis or erosion in your oesophagus, but if you've only got simple heartburn-related problems, longer term it can have greater impacts on the body." Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid travels back up into the gullet, frequently triggering heartburn - a fiery feeling in the chest or throat. Usually, a muscle known as the lower oesophageal sphincter stops this happening, but when it becomes weak or relaxes inappropriately, acid can leak out and aggravate the gullet. Triggers include stress, excess weight, eating too quickly, or consuming alcohol, caffeine and chocolate. Pregnancy hormones can also raise the risk. While reflux is uncomfortable, stomach acid is essential for digestion. It activates pepsin, an enzyme that breaks down proteins, and helps soften food. It also protects against harmful microbes in food. Mrs Grayson explained that insufficient stomach acid might boost infection chances and hamper the uptake of vital nutrients like Vitamin B12, iron, calcium and magnesium. Mrs Grayson, who has spent 30 years working as a pharmacist, and also operates Practice With Confidence, teaching transformative patient care, explained: "Long-term use of PPIs can significantly impair digestion. "Stomach acid plays a crucial role in breaking down food, particularly proteins, and activating enzymes like pepsin. When acid levels are too low, food may not be properly digested, leading to symptoms such as bloating, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and IBS-like issues including flatulence, constipation, or diarrhoea. "Poor digestion may also contribute to nutrient malabsorption, potentially leading to fatigue or weight fluctuations. Reduced stomach acid can also compromise the gut's natural defence barrier, increasing susceptibility to infections such as Clostridium difficile, Campylobacter and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). "These can cause further gastrointestinal symptoms and, in some cases, serious complications." Under her TikTok handle @tgopharm,Mrs Grayson explained in a previous video that if you're a frequent sufferer of acid reflux and heartburn, lifestyle changes can make a real difference. Taking the time to eat slowly and mindfully is essential for proper digestion. If you're too busy to cook, Mrs Grayson suggested starting the 'anticipation process' around 20 to 30 minutes before eating. She said: "Think about what you are going to have, how it tastes and how it smells. This can trigger the anticipatory response in the same way that preparing it yourself would have done. Modern lifestyles have resulted in many people deciding they are hungry, dashing into the nearest food outlet and eating food within minutes. 'This means that the body has to play catch up, exacerbating symptoms". In a separate video posted on her platform, Mrs Grayson suggested "disconnecting from technology and doing some alternate nostril breathing" - which can help with switching on your digestion and reducing reflux. She also advised steering clear of trigger foods, such as peppermint, chocolate, coffee, citrus and tomatoes and leaving a gap between eating and sleep, as lying down with a full stomach can trigger reflux. Mrs Grayson said a window of three hours between your final meal and bedtime is optimal. Mrs Grayson has previously discussed the harmful effects of omeprazole, explaining how it can worsen symptoms in the long-term and can make someone become dependent on it. She said: "We are sleepwalking into a significant culture of PPI addiction due to over-prescribing without clear reason and failure to give patients a clear exit strategy from the treatment." Studies reveal up to 40 per cent of patients do not respond to a PPI, so the drug is rendered useless in those cases.
Medscape
10-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Are IV Proton Pump Inhibitors Overused in Upper GI Bleeding?
TOPLINE: Nearly 70% of patients with acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and low-risk or no peptic ulcer disease received intravenous (IV) proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) inappropriately, leading to longer hospital stays. METHODOLOGY: Current guidelines recommend transitioning from IV to oral PPIs after esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) if no high-risk stigmata are found and stopping PPIs in patients with upper GI bleeding from causes other than peptic ulcer disease. Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized for acute upper GI bleeding between January 2014 and December 2019. All patients were started on continuous or intermittent IV PPI and underwent EGD that showed a gastric or duodenal ulcer with low-risk signs or lesions unrelated to ulcer disease. Inappropriate use was defined as any continuous IV PPI infusion lasting more than 4 hours after EGD or any intermittent dose administered after the procedure. TAKEAWAY: Researchers analyzed 253 patients (mean age, 62 years; 57% women; 35% White/Caucasian), of whom only 79 (31%) received appropriate PPI therapy, whereas 174 (69%) received it inappropriately (55 on continuous IV PPI infusion and 119 receiving excess intermittent doses). Patients with peptic ulcer disease with low-risk stigmata received an average of five excess IV PPI doses, and those on continuous infusions received an average of 41 additional hours of treatment. Among patients with lesions unrelated to peptic ulcer disease or with no lesions at all, those receiving twice daily IV PPI dosing averaged six extra doses, and those on continuous infusion received an average of 34 additional hours of therapy. At baseline, hemoglobin levels were slightly lower in the inappropriate therapy group than in the appropriate group (7.9 vs 8.7 g/dL). Patients receiving appropriate therapy had a shorter hospital stay than those receiving inappropriate therapy (4 vs 7 days; P = .001). IN PRACTICE: 'We believe that educating practitioners on the appropriate use of PPI therapy in the context of the endoscopic lesion that was believed to have caused bleeding is a critically important next step,' the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Michael M. Sutton, MD, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City. It was published online in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design may have introduced biases, such as ascertainment bias, as verbal recommendations for discontinuing IV PPI therapy might not have been documented. The single-center setting limits the generalizability of the findings. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health — the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Medscape
18-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Medications During Infancy May Shape Future Allergy Risk
Exposure to acid-suppressive medications or antimicrobials in infancy was linked to higher risks for food allergies and anaphylaxis in early childhood, with the risks increasing further with multiple antimicrobial prescriptions. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective study using the US TriNetX Network to examine whether the use of acid-suppressive medications or antimicrobials during infancy influences the risk of developing allergic diseases in childhood. They identified infants who were prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; n = 15,375), histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs; n = 42,913), at least one antibiotic course (n = 740,121), or three or more antibiotic courses (n = 163,098) during the first year of life and compared them with 1,510,074 infants who received none of these medications during their first 2 years. Three allergic outcomes, namely anaphylaxis, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis, were assessed at 2 years of age. TAKEAWAY: Infants prescribed PPIs during their first year of life had more than a fivefold higher risk for food allergy (risk ratio [RR], 5.33; 95% CI, 4.97-5.71) and nearly a 2.5-fold higher risk for anaphylaxis (RR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.40-4.41) by 2 years of age than unexposed infants. Similarly, infants prescribed H2RAs had a 4.2-fold higher risk for food allergy (RR, 4.21; 95% CI, 4.01-4.41), a 1.4-fold higher risk for atopic dermatitis (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.35-1.48), and nearly a 4.5-fold higher risk for anaphylaxis (RR, 4.48; 95% CI, 3.43-5.86) than unexposed infants. Infants with at least one antimicrobial prescription during infancy showed nearly twice the risk for food allergy and more than twice the risk for both atopic dermatitis and anaphylaxis than unexposed infants. Infants who received three or more antimicrobial prescriptions in their first year faced sharply elevated 2-year risks compared with unexposed infants — nearly 2.8-fold for food allergy, 3.4-fold for atopic dermatitis, and 3.7-fold for anaphylaxis. IN PRACTICE: 'The composition of the gut microbiota is strongly associated with allergic manifestations, as the commensal bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract promote healthy development of the gut immune system with promotion of food tolerance,' the study authors wrote. 'Antibiotic exposure disrupts these microbial communities, which in turn affects individuals' immune response and likely increases their susceptibility for allergic manifestations,' they added. SOURCE: Mohamad R. Chaaban, with the Head & Neck Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, was the corresponding author of the study, which was published online on May 30 in the Journal of Clinical Medicine . LIMITATIONS: The misdiagnosis of infant food allergies as gastroesophageal reflux disease and higher acid-suppressive medication use in more severe cases may have confounded the associations between these medications and food allergy. DISCLOSURES: This project was supported in part by the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio, which is funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Should You Consider Taking Antacids For The Long Run?
Antacids are among the most commonly used over-the-counter medications to relieve heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux. They offer quick relief by neutralising stomach acid, making them a go-to remedy for millions. But while they are effective in the short term, long-term use of antacids is a growing concern among healthcare professionals. According to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), prolonged use of antacids, especially without medical supervision, can lead to nutrient deficiencies, altered gut function, and increased risk of kidney and bone issues. So, should you consider taking antacids for the long haul? Let's explore the science behind long-term use and what you should watch out for. Understanding how antacids work and their implications Antacids work by neutralising excess stomach acid, offering temporary relief from symptoms like heartburn and bloating. However, they don't treat the root cause of acid reflux or indigestion, and prolonged use can suppress natural digestive functions. Here are some key concerns and complications linked to continuous or unsupervised use of antacids. 1. Nutrient deficiencies Long-term use of antacids, especially proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), can hinder the absorption of essential nutrients such as the following mentioned below. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that prolonged PPI use has been linked with osteoporosis-related fractures. a. Vitamin B12 Low stomach acid affects absorption, increasing the risk of anaemia and neurological issues. b. Calcium and magnesium Reduced absorption can lead to weaker bones and muscle cramps. c. Iron Essential for haemoglobin, iron levels may drop over time, leading to fatigue and weakness. 2. Risk of kidney problems Some studies suggest that long-term antacid use may be associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. PPIs in particular have been shown to potentially cause the risk of following health conditions. It is advisable to undergo periodic kidney function tests if you're using antacids regularly. a. Damage kidney tissues b. Contribute to the development of interstitial nephritis c. Lead to long-term renal impairment if left unmanaged 3. Increased risk of infections By suppressing stomach acid, long-term antacid use may reduce the stomach's natural defence mechanism, allowing harmful bacteria to flourish. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that reducing stomach acid can compromise your gut's immune function. This may include the following health risks. a. Increase the risk of Clostridium difficile infections b. Lead to bacterial overgrowth in the gut c. Make one more prone to gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea 4. Masking of underlying conditions Relying on antacids for too long can mask more serious gastrointestinal disorders such as the following. If symptoms like heartburn, bloating, or nausea persist for weeks, a proper medical evaluation is crucial. a. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) b. Peptic ulcers c. Helicobacter pylori infection d. Stomach cancer 5. Rebound acidity When stopped suddenly after long-term use, especially with PPIs, the stomach may produce even more acid than before, a phenomenon known as rebound hyperacidity. This can worsen symptoms and create a dependency loop on antacids. When and how to use antacids safely If you need antacids occasionally, they are generally safe. However, for long-term relief, consider the following. Also, consider alternatives like H2 blockers, only under professional guidance. a. Consulting a gastroenterologist before prolonged use b. Exploring dietary and lifestyle changes to manage symptoms c. Using the lowest effective dose under supervision d. Regularly monitoring nutrient levels and kidney function While antacids are a convenient solution for occasional discomfort, they aren't designed for long-term use without medical advice. Prolonged use can lead to serious health complications and mask underlying conditions. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and leading gastroenterologists, it's best to address the root cause of acidity through medical care, lifestyle changes, and proper dietary habits for long-term wellness. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
Business Standard
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
ZikZuk Receives In-Principle Approval from RBI for Issuance of Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs)
VMPL Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 19: ZikZuk, a fast-growing fintech startup headquartered in Hyderabad, announces that it has received in-principle authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to issue Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI). With this strategic approval, ZikZuk is set to enter India's dynamic digital payments space with powerful prepaid wallet and card-based payment offerings. PPIs are instruments that facilitate the purchase of goods and services, conduct financial services, and enable remittance facilities, against the value of money stored within themselves. PPIs are designed to facilitate cashless transactions. Some of the applications of PPI include smart cards for mass transit & travel, digital wallets, or mobile apps that store money for financial transactions. Users can load money and use them for various payments, including online purchases, bill payments & in-store transactions. RBI now allows users of PPIs to conduct UPI payments through third-party UPI apps like Cred, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, etc. With this approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), PPI issuers can issue prepaid wallets and cards and enable UPI payments. ZikZuk is set to operate as a full-fledged domestic player in one of the world's most dynamic FinTech markets. "We're extremely excited to receive this in-principle approval from the RBI," said Rahul Rasa, Co-founder of ZikZuk Technologies. "This is a big step in our journey to build innovative financial products from the ground up, designed specifically for the Indian market. With PPIs, we'll be able to empower users with secure, seamless, and scalable digital payment tools." This approval signals the RBI's growing support for new-age Indian fintech players, enabling them to participate more meaningfully in the country's expanding digital economy. ZikZuk's entry into the PPI space is expected to bring fresh energy and user-first innovations to a sector currently dominated by established names such as PhonePe, Paytm, MobiKwik, Scapia, and Jupiter. With this green light from the RBI, ZikZuk joins a select group of companies poised to shape the future of India's digital payment infrastructure.
