Many people in the United States take medications called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, to help with heartburn, acid reflux, and a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some of the most common names you might hear are Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid.
These drugs work by lowering the amount of acid the stomach makes, which helps ease pain and discomfort. About 10% of American adults use PPIs every day, relying on them to make their lives more comfortable.
But a new study from the University of California San Diego has found worrying signs that taking these drugs for a long time could hurt your kidneys. The researchers looked at information from a large database called FAERS, which collects reports from people who experienced side effects from medications.
In total, the database includes over 10 million reports. For this study, the scientists focused on about 43,000 people who had only used PPIs and were not taking other medications that might affect the results.
To compare, the researchers also looked at a smaller group of about 8,000 people who took a different type of heartburn medicine called histamine-2 receptor blockers, such as Zantac or Pepcid. These medicines also help with stomach acid problems, but they work in a different way than PPIs.
What the scientists found was surprising. About 5.6% of people who took only PPIs reported having kidney problems. In comparison, only about 0.7% of people who used histamine-2 receptor blockers reported similar issues. When it came to more serious conditions like chronic kidney disease, the difference was even greater.
People using PPIs were 28 times more likely to report chronic kidney disease than those using the other type of medication. PPI users were also more likely to report other serious kidney problems like acute kidney injury and end-stage kidney failure, as well as issues with minerals in their blood, known as electrolyte imbalances.
This is not the first time that PPIs have raised health concerns. Earlier studies, including one done in 2017 by the same university, suggested that these drugs might also be linked to liver disease. These past warnings, combined with the new findings, show that while PPIs are very helpful for many people, they also carry serious risks that should not be ignored.
Doctors are now being urged to think carefully before prescribing PPIs, especially to patients who may already be at risk of kidney problems. Patients should also talk to their doctors about whether they truly need to be on these medications long-term, or if there are safer options they could try instead.
This study is important because millions of people around the world take PPIs, and understanding all the possible effects of these drugs is key to protecting their health. It reminds everyone—both doctors and patients—that just because a medicine helps with symptoms does not mean it is free from risks.
Published in the journal Scientific Reports by Ruben Abagyan and his team, this research is an important step toward making sure PPIs are used more safely.
The study pushes for a better balance between helping people manage painful stomach problems and avoiding long-term harm to other parts of the body like the kidneys. As more studies are done, it is hoped that new guidelines will help patients get the benefits they need without taking unnecessary risks.
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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