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Warning over kidney risk from heartburn drugs | Warning over kidney risk from heartburn drugs |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Long-term use of heartburn drugs may increase the risk of kidney damage, according to US research. | Long-term use of heartburn drugs may increase the risk of kidney damage, according to US research. |
Scientists advised patients to use the drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors, only when medically necessary and not for too long. | Scientists advised patients to use the drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors, only when medically necessary and not for too long. |
The medicines suppress acid production in the stomach and are used to treat heartburn and ulcers. | The medicines suppress acid production in the stomach and are used to treat heartburn and ulcers. |
Five proton pump inhibitors are licensed for use in the UK which treat millions of people each year. | Five proton pump inhibitors are licensed for use in the UK which treat millions of people each year. |
These are: | These are: |
Most of these medicines are prescription only, but omeprazole and pantoprazole can be bought over-the-counter at pharmacies, according to Patient UK. | |
Limiting use | Limiting use |
Researchers in the US analysed information on more than 170,000 people taking proton pump inhibitors and 20,000 people taking an alternative class of drugs also used to suppress stomach acid. | Researchers in the US analysed information on more than 170,000 people taking proton pump inhibitors and 20,000 people taking an alternative class of drugs also used to suppress stomach acid. |
Over a period of five years, those taking proton pump inhibitors had a 28% increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease and a 96% greater risk of suffering kidney failure, according to the study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. | Over a period of five years, those taking proton pump inhibitors had a 28% increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease and a 96% greater risk of suffering kidney failure, according to the study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. |
Patients who took proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for longer periods of time were more likely to experience kidney problems. | Patients who took proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for longer periods of time were more likely to experience kidney problems. |
Lead scientist Dr Ziyad Al-Aly, from the VA Saint Louis Health Care System in the US, said: "The results emphasise the importance of limiting PPI use to only when it is medically necessary, and also limiting the duration of use to the shortest possible. | Lead scientist Dr Ziyad Al-Aly, from the VA Saint Louis Health Care System in the US, said: "The results emphasise the importance of limiting PPI use to only when it is medically necessary, and also limiting the duration of use to the shortest possible. |
"A lot of patients start taking PPIs for a medical condition, and they continue much longer than necessary." | "A lot of patients start taking PPIs for a medical condition, and they continue much longer than necessary." |
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