Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely used medications in the U.S., familiar to many through brand names like Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid. These drugs are commonly taken to relieve heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), helping millions of people manage symptoms that can interfere with daily life.
But while PPIs offer effective relief, new research from the University of California San Diego is raising red flags about their long-term safety—especially when it comes to kidney health.
The study, led by Ruben Abagyan and published in Scientific Reports, analyzed more than 10 million records from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), focusing on patients who used PPIs without taking any other medications.
This group included around 43,000 people. For comparison, the researchers looked at roughly 8,000 people who used a different type of heartburn medication—histamine-2 receptor antagonists (such as Pepcid or Zantac)—but no other drugs.
The results were striking. Among PPI-only users, 5.6% reported kidney-related problems. In contrast, only 0.7% of those using histamine-2 blockers reported similar issues. More alarmingly, reports of chronic kidney disease were 28 times higher in the PPI group.
Other serious kidney conditions, including acute kidney injury and end-stage renal disease, were also significantly more common in this group. There were also higher reports of electrolyte imbalances, which can affect many bodily functions.
This isn’t the first time PPIs have come under scrutiny. In 2017, a different study from the same university team suggested a link between PPIs and chronic liver disease. These concerns point to the importance of regularly reassessing the long-term safety of medications that many people take every day, sometimes for years.
While PPIs are undeniably helpful for many people with acid-related disorders, this study serves as a reminder that no medication is without risk.
The findings highlight the importance of using PPIs only when truly needed, and ideally for the shortest duration possible. Doctors are urged to carefully consider these risks when prescribing PPIs, especially for patients who may already be at risk for kidney problems.
For patients, the message is clear: don’t stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor, but do ask if PPIs are still necessary for you. There may be safer alternatives or non-drug approaches—like dietary changes or using histamine-2 blockers—that could help manage your symptoms with fewer risks.
This research is a crucial step toward safer medication use, underscoring the need for ongoing study into the long-term effects of commonly used drugs. It also reminds both healthcare providers and the public to remain alert to new information and weigh the benefits and risks of any treatment carefully.
With millions of people relying on PPIs to manage their digestive issues, continued research and responsible prescribing practices are essential for protecting public health.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about drug that prevents kidney failure in diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and common painkillers may harm heart, kidneys and more.
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