Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medications that people use to treat heartburn, acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and stomach ulcers.
More than 60 million people in the United States experience heartburn or acid reflux at least once per month, according to the American College of Gastroenterology.
Although mild or occasional heartburn is often easy to manage using over-the-counter (OTC) antacids or by making some lifestyle changes, some people have more persistent or severe symptoms. In these situations, doctors often recommend PPIs.
PPIs are a very common type of medication. In fact, in 2015, one study found that
This article will look at PPIs in more detail, including their uses, benefits, and potential side effects.
Doctors prescribe PPIs to treat stomach acid-related symptoms, such as heartburn and acid reflux.
Sometimes, these symptoms will occur due to an underlying condition. Common underlying causes of chronic heartburn and acid reflux include:
- stomach ulcers, or a Helicobacter pylori infection
- GERD
- hiatal hernias
- lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction
Anxiety, smoking, and frequent alcohol consumption can also trigger heartburn and acid reflux in some people.
Less common causes of excess stomach acid include Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and stomach cancer.
PPIs work by
According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, PPIs also help heal inflammation in the esophagus in 90–94% of cases.
People should take PPIs on an empty stomach before meals. Stomach acid helps release the active ingredients so that they can prevent symptoms before they start.
There are many different PPI medications available in the U.S. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders say that the various types are all similarly effective.
The two oldest PPIs, lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec), are available without a prescription. This is also true for esomeprazole (Nexium) and omeprazole (Zegerid), which combines omeprazole with an antacid.
However, doctors advise people not to use OCT PPIs for more than 14 days without talking to a physician. Needing to use them for this long could indicate that a person’s symptoms are due to a larger or more serious issue.
Other PPIs include:
- pantoprazole (Protonix), which may be available at a lower price than other PPIs
- dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)
- rabeprazole (Aciphex), which can be easier to swallow for people who find it difficult to take pills
Most people can take PPIs without any problems. According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, only 1–2% of people taking them experience any side effects.
Even though side effects are rare overall, the most common seem to be:
People who experience side effects with one PPI may find that it helps to switch to a different brand.
However, long-term PPI use may carry some potential risks, including:
- wrist, hip, and spine fractures
- hypergastrinemia, or high levels of the hormone that stimulates gastric acid production
- community-acquired pneumonia
- Clostridium difficile, Campylobacter, and Salmonella infections
- hypomagnesemia, or very low levels of magnesium
- low levels of vitamin B-12
- acute interstitial nephritis, or sudden inflammation and injury of the kidneys
- dementia
- drug-induced lupus erythematosus
Although some of these conditions are serious,
Until there is more research into how PPIs affect the body over time, doctors should exercise caution when prescribing them long-term.
The
H2 antagonists, also known as H2 blockers, are an older class of drugs that people can use to treat ulcers, heartburn, and GERD. They are cheaper than PPIs but not as powerful.
As a result, doctors tend to recommend OTC, lower-dose versions of H2 antagonists for people who have occasional heartburn.
The amount of time it takes for them to work and the length of time for which they are effective are two key differences between these medications.
H2 antagonists work more quickly than PPIs, but they only work for around 12 hours, which is why doctors recommend them more often for people with infrequent heartburn.
By comparison, PPIs can be effective for 24 hours, but they take longer to work.
PPIs are some of the most widely prescribed medications in the U.S. They are effective for treating the symptoms of heartburn, GERD, and stomach ulcers, among other conditions.
However, some studies indicate that long-term use of PPIs increases the risk of serious complications, including broken bones and pneumonia. People with chronic stomach acid problems should work with their healthcare providers to determine the best option for them.
