Many people take medications to manage heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD, which can make daily life uncomfortable.
One group of drugs, called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), is commonly used to treat these conditions. Some popular PPIs include Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid. In the United States, about one in ten adults takes a PPI.
These drugs can be very effective at reducing stomach acid and relieving symptoms. However, new research from the University of California San Diego shows they may come with hidden risks—especially to kidney health.
The researchers used a large database called the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), which collects reports from people who experience side effects after taking medications. They focused on about 43,000 people who used only PPIs and did not mix them with other drugs.
They also looked at a comparison group of around 8,000 people who took a different kind of acid-reducing medicine called H2 blockers. H2 blockers, like Zantac and Pepcid, work in a different way to lower stomach acid.
The results showed a clear difference. People who used only PPIs were much more likely to report problems with their kidneys. About 5.6% of PPI users had kidney-related side effects, compared to just 0.7% of those who took H2 blockers.
Even more concerning, people on PPIs were over 28 times more likely to report chronic kidney disease. They also had higher chances of other serious kidney issues, such as acute kidney injury, end-stage kidney disease, and other kinds of kidney damage.
The study also found problems with electrolyte balance, which is important for keeping the body’s fluids and kidney function in check. These effects varied depending on the exact PPI used, but the risk of kidney disease was seen across all five PPIs in the study.
Although PPIs are important medications that help many people, these findings suggest they should be used carefully—especially by those who already have kidney problems or are at risk for them. The researchers hope their work will help doctors and patients talk more about these risks and decide together on the best treatment.
This is not the first time scientists have raised concerns about PPIs. A study from 2017 by the same research team found signs that PPIs might also affect the liver. Taken together, these findings suggest that long-term use of PPIs could have effects on more than just the stomach.
If you are using a PPI, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and get regular health checks, including kidney function tests. In some cases, using an H2 blocker may be a safer option. As always, it’s important to weigh the benefits and risks of any medication.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about pesticide linked to chronic kidney disease, and this drug may prevent kidney failure in people with diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about drug duo that may treat kidney failure, and results showing these vegetables may protect against kidney damage.
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