Long-Term PPI Use Linked to Bone Fracture

A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, nearly double the risk of osteoporotic bone fracture, especially hip fractures, when used for longer than seven years. PPIs are a family of drugs that treat digestive disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or dyspepsia, that are caused by excess stomach acid secretion and that work by blocking the production of gastric acid. The recent study suggests that PPIs should be used “sparingly and only when absolutely indicated.” For patients who need to take PPIs, the article also suggests that methods such as calcium supplementation may be useful to counteract this side effect of these medicines; however, further studies are needed to examine this strategy. MedPage Today, August 12, 2008 
2008-08-15 05:11:04