All The Common Heart Burn Drugs Will Harm Your Kidneys: Research

These new studies are the first to produce data that illustrate the effect of long-term PPI use.

Arora told HealthDay there are two possible explanations for the link between PPIs and chronic kidney disease. There is an estimated 31 million people suffering from chronic kidney disease in the United States.

The findings will be presented at ASN (American Society of Nephrology) Kidney Week 2015 to be held at San Diego Convention Centre from November 3-8. These recent studies revealed that increased use of PPIs – a group of drugs whose main action is a pronounced and long-lasting reduction of gastric acid production – may contribute to the development of CKD.

One of the studies followed 10,482 adults with normal kidney function. Of the study’s participants, PPI users were found to have a 20 to 50 percent increased risk of developing CKD than non-users. They also warn that CKD can lead to an increased risk of other long-term health issues, such as cardiovascular disease.

In one study involving over 24,000 individuals who developed chronic kidney disease between the years 2001 and 2008, Pradeep Arora, from the SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Science in New York, and colleagues found that one in every four of these patients were previously treated with PPI.

Other medications used to treat heartburn were not found to encourage increased rates of kidney diseases. H2-blockers, such as Pepcid, were not found to increase CKD risks.

Among the total group of patients, those who took PPIs were less likely to have vascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but PPI use was linked with a 10 per cent increased risk of CKD and a 76 per cent increased risk of dying prematurely.

Researchers warn that while Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prevacid, Prilosec and Nexium, may be effective in treating stomach ulcers and reflux, they may also impair kidney function, leading to CKD. The kidneys might become damaged over time if patients suffer repeated bouts of acute interstitial nephritis, a form of tissue inflammation, which has been linked with short-term use of PPIs, he said. A lack of this critical element might also cause damage to the kidneys.

Dr. Marc Taormina with Midwest Gastroenterology says even though the research only shows an association, not proof that PPIs cause kidney disease, it should serve as a warning.

“Symptom control is important, but if the patient does not need to be on these strong acid reducers known as PPIs, they could be moved down to another class of drugs called H2 blockers”, said Dr. Taormina.

According to US data, 90 percent of the prescriptions for PPI are not related to FDA-approved indications. “We are using this medication right and left, and it may be counterproductive for many patients”.