Mis Sold PPI and Why Use a PPI Declare Specialist

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A new analysis suggests that the widely taken Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI's) side effects include increased fracture risk. The list of meds includes names you know, Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix and Prilosec, all common drugs given to help reduce gastric acid that may also up the risk of fracturing a bone by just about 30%.

The current work is a meta-analysis of 11 studies published earlier where experts looked at the potential link between bone fracture risk and the proton pump inhibitors.

Overall they saw fracture increases of 29% for those taking PPIs - hip fractures were up by 31%, vertebral by 54%. There was not a significant relationship between risk of fracture and the histamine H2-receptor antagonists, additional acid suppressing medications sold under brand names like Axid, Pepcid, Zantac and Tagamet.

The researchers believe that the higher risk of fractures could be because PPIs get in the way of the metabolism of calcium. This leads to weaker bones, more apt to break.

Most people have two fractures over a lifetime, and your risk depends in part on your age, your bones getting more brittle as the years pass.

You can get any of the PPIs by prescription or over the counter, and they are a well-tolerated recommendation for those who are diagnosed with GERD (or gastroesophageal reflux disease), peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus. They're the third largest class of drugs being sold today, with sales of $13.6 billion last year alone.

Your doctor will tell you that the benefits of these drugs, especially if you have one of these conditions, far outweigh any risk. The trouble is, many people who take these medications don't truly need them.

The study doesn't change anything that a doctor would follow in terms of prescribing. Rather, the experts suggest that doctors pay very close attention to symptoms reported and be more discriminating when recommending these medicines to their patients.

One thing more - fractures aren't the only risk of PPIs. These medications can also increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections, and taking them for longer than a year can bring on reduced serum magnesium levels that can lead to spasms, an irregular heartbeat and even convulsions. This warning came from the FDA just recently, in March 2011.

The drug makers themselves point out that there are both risks and benefits to any medication, including these. What's more, when taking PPI's you should follow the directions on the label carefully. That's not more than 14 days for frequent heartburn. Many people use these medications for far longer periods; if you find that's you, talk with your doctor.

Going forward to reduce fracture risk in this group of patients researchers suggest to minimize PPI's side effects that doctors only prescribe PPIs when the need is clear and the potential complications serious, but for those with uncomplicated GERD, a recommendation of taking the PPI as needed, might be better in the long run.