![Gastric acid medications are believed to be dangerous in the long run](https://img.passeportsante.net/1000x526/2019-06-28/i89666-reflux-gastrique.jpeg)
June 28, 2019
In France, 16 million French people consumed drugs to reduce gastric acidity in 2015. After the ANSM alert in 2018 on the health risks of these drugs, a new American study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), confirms their side effects.
An increased risk of mortality
People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophagitis are prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs have shown good tolerance and good efficacy. However, these drugs can have long-term side effects. When consumed over long periods of time, they can lead to cardiovascular and renal diseases as well as gastric tumors.
By comparing two groups of individuals, an American study showed a 17% increase in the risk of death taking PPIs instead of H2 antihistamines. The researchers studied the patients over a period of ten years. Among the deceased, 39% had diseases of the circulatory system, 28% of cancerous tumors, 14% of dysfunctions of the urogenital system and 9% of infectious or parasitic diseases.
Too much prescription
The National Medicines Safety Agency reported that 50% of adults used PPIs for prevention. Anti-gastric acidity drugs are also prescribed to prevent damage to the stomach and intestine caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In addition, the study notes that in 80% of cases, there were no factors to justify the mandatory use of PPI. However, the ANSM reports that between 2010 and 2015, an increase in PPI sales of almost 27% was measured. The health authorities have asked to reassess the prescription of PPIs but also to limit PPIs to therapeutic indications.
Stephanie Haerts
Read also : Effects of antihistamines on the cycle