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Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of drugs that work to reduce gastric acid production. The stomach contains a pump that produces gastric acid; PPIs bind this pump and prevent acid from being pumped into the stomach. Medications such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium and Aciphex are prescribed to patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dyspepsia, ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome and sometimes stomach infections.
Although most side effects of Proton Pump inhibitors are minor, PPIs have recently been linked to an increased risk of bone fractures. In particular, those who have been on a PPI for 5 or more consecutive years are at a greater risk of hip fracture. Those who have been on a PPI for 7 plus years are at greater risk of fractures in general and osteoporosis.
Fast Facts
| Name: | Proton Pump Inhibitors Aciphex Nexium Prevacid Prilosec Protonix | |
| Generic: | Raberprazole Esomeprazole Lansoprazole Omeprazole Pantoprazole |
Absorption - Uptake. In the biomedical sciences, absorption has diverse specific meanings. See our Proton Pump Inhibitors Glossary |
| Manufacturer: | Eisai (Aciphex/Raberprazole) AstraZeneca (Nexium/Esomeprazole and Prilosec/Omeprazole) TAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Pevacid/Lansoprazole) Wyeth-Ayerst (Protonix/Pantoprazole) | |
| Date approved: | Aciphex was approved in 1999 Nexium was approved in 2001 Prevacid was approved in 2000 Prilosec was approved in 2003 Protonix was approved by the FDA in 2000 | |
| Status: | On the market | |
| Approved uses: | Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) | |
| Off-Label uses: | Ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrom, H. Pylori infection of the stomach, Laryngiits | |
| Side effects: | Increased risk of hip fracture and other fractures, headaches, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, dizziness, nervousness, muscle pain, abnormal heartbeat, weakness, leg cramps | |
| Related topics: | Acid Reflux Disease, Osteoporosis | |
