Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are among the most commonly used medications in the United States. If you’ve ever taken Prilosec, Nexium, or Prevacid for heartburn or acid reflux, you’ve used a PPI. These drugs work by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach, offering relief for people suffering from conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Around 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. takes PPIs regularly, often for long periods. But a new study from the University of California San Diego has raised serious concerns about the safety of using these drugs over time—especially when it comes to kidney health.
The study used data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), which includes over 10 million reports from patients about problems they’ve experienced while taking medications.
Researchers focused on about 43,000 people who had only taken PPIs and compared them to roughly 8,000 people who had only taken a different type of heartburn medication: histamine-2 receptor blockers, like Zantac or Pepcid.
The difference between the two groups was clear and concerning. About 5.6% of people who took only PPIs reported kidney problems.
In contrast, only 0.7% of those who took the other kind of heartburn medication reported similar issues. The risk of chronic kidney disease was especially high—PPI users were nearly 30 times more likely to report it than those in the comparison group.
In addition to chronic kidney disease, PPI users also had higher rates of acute kidney injury, end-stage kidney failure, and general kidney problems. There were also more reports of issues related to electrolyte levels, which can affect how the body’s muscles, nerves, and organs function.
This study adds to earlier research that has raised red flags about the long-term use of PPIs. A 2017 study by the same research team suggested that PPIs might also increase the risk of chronic liver disease.
Although these medications can be very helpful in treating acid-related symptoms, the new findings suggest that they may not be safe for everyone, especially when taken for long periods without close monitoring.
Doctors are now being urged to carefully consider whether PPIs are truly necessary for each patient. If someone only has mild symptoms or if a different drug might work just as well with fewer risks, a different treatment plan might be a better choice.
Patients who rely on PPIs should not stop taking them suddenly, but they should talk to their doctor about whether it’s still the best option. In some cases, lifestyle changes—like avoiding spicy foods, eating smaller meals, or quitting smoking—might help reduce heartburn and limit the need for medication.
The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports by lead researcher Ruben Abagyan and his team. Their work highlights the importance of continuing to study the long-term effects of widely used medications and making sure both patients and healthcare providers stay informed.
In short, while PPIs are effective at treating heartburn and acid reflux, they may come with serious hidden risks. Understanding these dangers is the first step toward safer treatment choices and better long-term health.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about how to protect your kidneys from 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 eating nuts linked to lower risk of chronic kidney disease and death.
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