Risks of PPI heartburn drugs keep piling up

Proton pump inhibitors or PPIs (Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex) have been a big boon to the chronic heartburn or GERD sufferers. These PPI drugs started with a black box label warning of serious consequences of cancer to being used indiscriminately almost like a candy. Data indicate that a substantial proportion of long-term PPI users do not have a clear indication for their therapy and there is thus room for reduction or rationalization of treatment.

Long term use of proton pump inhibitors is providing us increasing information on their potential harmful effects. Recent data about PPIs suggests the following:

1. Increased risk of serious intestinal infections with Clostridium difficile bacteria
2. Increased risk of bone fractures
3. Bad breath
4. Bacterial overgrowth
5. Diarrhea and microscopic colitis
6. Vitamin B12 deficiency
7. Chronic muscle disease (myopathy, polymyositis)