Home : Unsafe Drugs : Proton Pump Inhibitors
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 |
Osteoporosis - A condition in which there is a decrease in bone mass and bone density and an increased risk and/or incidence of fracture. Studies show that long term use of PPIs may cause an increased risk of osteoporosis and/or bone fracture. 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 | |
Details of Proton Pump Inhibitor Drugs' Use and Side Effects
A group of drugs known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) were recently discovered to be linked with severe bone fractures and bone density loss among patients. The drugs are used to control and... read more
Proton Pump Inhibitors May Lead to Osteoporosis
Heartburn and acid reflux disease are among some of the most common ailments of US citizens and patients across the world. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is treated in patients by the millions... read more
View the Proton Pump Inhibitors Main Articles page here
Jury Verdicts Related to Proton Pump Inhibitors
View the Proton Pump Inhibitors Jury Verdicts page here
Glossary Related to Proton Pump Inhibitors
View the Proton Pump Inhibitors Glossary page here
Government Articles Related to Proton Pump Inhibitors
Powerful Antacid Drugs Raise Fracture Risk
View the Proton Pump Inhibitors Government Articles page here
MSN Newsfeeds Related to Proton Pump Inhibitors
Doctors, pharmacists worry as insurers push cheaper drugs
View the Proton Pump Inhibitors MSN Newsfeeds page here
Useful Web Sites Related to Proton Pump Inhibitors
Medicine.net Information on Proton Pump Inhibitors
Science Daily Article on PPIs and Bone Fracture
View the Proton Pump Inhibitors Useful Web Sites page here
Wikipedia Entries Related to Proton Pump Inhibitors
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
View the Proton Pump Inhibitors Wikipedia Entries page here
Books Related to Proton Pump Inhibitors
View the Proton Pump Inhibitors Books page here






