Patients on PPIs at Risk for Hip Fractures

Dr. Douglas Corley of the University of California, San Francisco, announced at Digestive Disease Week that a study of almost 34,000 patients taking proton-pump inhibitors (such as Prilosec, Omeprazol, Prevacid, Protonix, Nexium, and Aciphex) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (such as Ranitidin and Pepcid), which are used to treat acid reflux disease, were at greater risk for hip fractures. This risk was significantly greater in comparison to those who were taking these medications. People who had taken PPIs for more than 2 years were 30% more likely to have suffered a fracture, while those on histamine-2 blocker had 18% increase in the rate of hip fracture. The risk also increased with higher dosages and longer periods of treatment. Corley suggests that doctors make sure that PPIs are indicated before using them for treatment of acid reflux. MedPage Today, June 4, 2009
2009-07-09 09:44:45