Millions of people around the world take medicines called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, to ease heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD.
These conditions happen when stomach acid moves back up into the food pipe, causing burning pain in the chest, a sour taste in the mouth, coughing, or trouble sleeping.
For many people, these medicines can bring fast relief and make daily life much more comfortable. Well-known examples include Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid. In the United States, about one in every ten adults uses these drugs on a regular basis.
PPIs work by reducing the amount of acid made by the stomach. Doctors often prescribe them for people with severe acid reflux, stomach ulcers, or damage to the food pipe caused by acid.
Some people only need these medicines for a few weeks, but others stay on them for months or even years. Because these drugs are so common and are often seen as safe, many users may not think much about possible long-term side effects.
A new study from the University of California San Diego is now raising fresh concerns about these medicines and their possible effects on kidney health. The research suggests that people who take PPIs may have a much higher risk of serious kidney problems than those who use another group of acid-reducing drugs.
To investigate the issue, the researchers examined information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Event Reporting System, known as FAERS.
This large database contains more than 10 million reports of side effects linked to medicines. It allows scientists to look for patterns and warning signs that may not have been obvious when a drug first entered the market.
The team focused on nearly 43,000 people who were taking only proton pump inhibitors. They compared these patients with about 8,000 people who were using a different type of medicine called histamine-2 receptor blockers.
These medicines, which include drugs such as Pepcid and the original form of Zantac, also lower stomach acid but work in a different way.
The findings were striking. Among people taking PPIs, about 5.6% reported kidney-related problems. In comparison, only about 0.7% of those taking histamine-2 blockers reported similar problems. The researchers also found that people using PPIs were more than 28 times more likely to report chronic kidney disease than those in the comparison group.
The study found higher reports of other serious conditions as well, including sudden kidney injury, kidney failure, and problems with the body’s salt and mineral balance.
The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste products from the blood, helping control blood pressure, and maintaining healthy levels of fluids and minerals. Damage to these organs can affect many parts of the body and may lead to long-term health problems.
This is not the first time scientists have questioned the long-term safety of proton pump inhibitors. Earlier research, including another study from the same university in 2017, suggested that these medicines might also be linked to chronic liver disease.
Although such studies cannot prove that PPIs directly cause these problems, they do raise concerns that deserve careful attention.
The researchers say the findings should encourage doctors and patients to think carefully about how long these medicines are used. For some people, the benefits of PPIs may clearly outweigh the risks. However, people who already have kidney problems or other health issues may need closer monitoring and regular discussions with their healthcare providers.
The study also highlights the importance of staying informed about medicines that are widely used. Patients who have been taking PPIs for a long time should not suddenly stop their treatment without medical advice.
Instead, they may wish to talk with their doctors about whether they still need the medicine, whether a different treatment could work, or whether lifestyle changes such as losing weight, avoiding large late-night meals, and reducing alcohol intake might help control symptoms.
The research was led by Professor Ruben Abagyan from the University of California San Diego and was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The findings serve as an important reminder that even medicines that are common and effective can carry risks. As scientists continue learning more about these drugs, both doctors and patients can make better-informed decisions that support long-term health.
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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