Antacids are the most common medications for relieving acid reflux by reducing the acid levels in the stomach. It is one of the main medications that people diagnosed with ulcers, GERD and other related issues consume. The medication has been termed safe over the years. However, a new study has revealed that reducing the acidity in the stomach using proton pump inhibitors can cause premature deaths.
Proton Pump Inhibitors May Lead To Premature Deaths
The proton pump inhibitors, commonly called PPIs offer instant relief to acid reflux by dramatically reducing the acidity in the stomach. The researchers who conducted an observational study over six years with data collected from 3,288,092 people have insisted that PPIs come under scrutiny.
Apart from observing people who consumed PPIs, the study also compared the data with 349,312 individuals who used another acid production dampening drug known as H2 blockers. They discovered that there was a 25% higher risk of death when people use PPIs to reduce acid production in the stomach compared to when they use H2 blockers. However, there was also an increased risk of death for those using H2 blockers compared to those who didn’t consume any acid reducing substance at all.
While there have been no concrete decisions made following the study, people have been advised to reduce their consumption of PPIs over long durations. They can also reduce the quantity they take daily.
It is important to note that many of the participants who were under observation were older white males. So, the authors have said that the case may not be the same as other segments of the population. More studies will need to be carried out to find the cause and effect relationship between proton pump inhibitors and premature deaths in humans.