RESEARCH - Infections, fractures linked to acid reflux drugs

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Infections, Fractures Linked to Acid Reflux Drugs

Popular PPI Antacids Linked to C. diff Infection, Broken Bones, Other Risks

By J. DeNoon

WebMD Health News

Reviewed by J. , MD

May 10, 2010 -- The popular class of antacids that includes Aciphex,

Dexilant, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix increases the risk

of C. diff infection and bone fracture, new studies find.

The drugs all are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), the most powerful

class of antacid drugs. It's the third highest-selling class of drugs

in the U.S. Each year, doctors write 113.4 million prescriptions for

the drugs. Two, Prevacid and Prilosec, are available without

prescription.

The drugs do a great job of reducing stomach acid. They're not only

far more powerful than simple antacids (such as Maalox, Rolaids, and

Tums) but also reduce stomach acid more than the H2RA drugs Axid,

Pepcid, Tagamet, and Zantac.

PPIs are supposed to be used only for serious conditions, but often

they are taken for simple heartburn. Moreover, doctors tend to

overprescribe PPIs for hospitalized patients. What's the harm?

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Read the full article here:

http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/news/20100510/c-diff-infections-fractures-li\

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