Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix and Zegerid found to increase DEATH by 25%
by: Isabelle Z.
NaturalNews.com
Friday, July 14, 2017
The sharp burning and tightness of heartburn might be uncomfortable to experience, but are you willing to risk your life to get rid of the sensation? That is precisely what you’re doing if you happen to take one of several popular acid reducers.
The drugs, which are known as proton pump inhibitors, include Nexium, Prilosec, Zegerid, and Protonix in addition to generic names such as lansoprazole, omeprazole, and pantoprazole. Although they were only available by prescription in the past, these medications are increasingly becoming available over the counter, putting countless people at risk and giving them the illusion that these drugs are relatively safe.
In a study that was published in BMJ Open, researchers examined the prescription records of millions of veterans over the course of almost six years. They found an association between the use of these drugs and a 25 percent higher risk of death compared to those who were taking H2 blockers, a different class of acid reducers. Popular H2 blockers include Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet along with generic versions like cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine.
The researchers cautioned doctors against prescribing these drugs for long periods of time. They found that the risk of death rose in proportion to the duration of their use. The effect was even present after controlling for factors such as illness and age.
More than 15 million Americans take prescription proton pump inhibitors (PPI), and that is not even counting those who buy these drugs over the counter. They are used to treat problems like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers and heartburn.
In addition to the 25 percent higher death risk in those taking PPIs versus those on H2 blockers, there was a 23 percent higher death rate for those on PPIs compared to those who did not take any type of acid suppressor. While the study did not take the cause of death into account and mostly looked at older white males, it is consistent with previous studies that have connected PPI use to higher rates of certain diseases.
Study after study shows damage that PPIs can cause
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